Which Dogs Bite? A Case-Control Study of Risk Factors

The city of Denver did a study that focused on the type of dog most likely to commit a dog bite. Pit bulls were not included in the report. In the city of Denver pit bulls are banned.

Study highlights

• Biters are 6.2 times as likely to be male than female
• Biters are 2.6 times as likely to be intact than neutered
• Biters are 2.8 times as likely to be chained as unchained
• Biters were significantly more likely to be German Shepherd or Chow Chow, male and unneutered, 50lbs and above and under 5 years of age
• Biters were significantly more likely to reside in a house with one or more children and more likely to be chained while in the yard
• Children aged 12 and younger were the victims in 51% of all cases; the median age of all bite victims was 12 years (range 1-83 years)
• 64% of bite victims were male
• 76% of the bites were recorded as minor and 24% as severe
• 50% of bites occurred on the sidewalk, street, alley or playground; 30% in the owner’s yard; 14% in the owner’s house and 4% in the victim’s yard

Please click on the link below to read the complete Dogbites.org article:

http://www.dogsbite.org/bite-study-whichdogsbite.htm

The Citron Law Firm, P.A. (www.citronlegal.com) is a civil trial practice law firm that specializes in professional liability and injury cases, commercial and real estate litigation and family law matters.  The Citron Law Firm is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at 707 S.E. Third Avenue, Sixth Floor – (954) 712-1686.

Study: Two Dog Breeds Account for Nearly 70% of Dog Bites That End in Death and Serious Injury

According to a well-publicized CDC report, between the years of 1979 to 1998 pit bulls and rottweilers made up 60% of attacks that ended in death. DogsBite.org reports that in 2007, this same combination inflicted 71%. The CDC does not record attacks by specific breed that cause severe injury, but an animal organization does. By compiling US and Canadian press accounts between 1982 and 2007, Animal People News found that the combination of pit bulls, rottweilers and wolf-hybrids accounted for 77% of attacks that resulted in bodily harm and 77% in maiming.  Other factors beyond breed contribute to making a dog dangerous. What we know from a 1991 Denver study is that biters are over 6 times as likely to be male than female, 2.6 times as likely to be intact than neutered and nearly 3 times as likely to be chained as unchained. Dangerous dogs are often left intact for “macho” and breeding reasons. Unsuitable as housedogs, owners leave them chained outside as well. The combination of a male, intact, chained pit bull or rottweiler greatly amplifies the danger it poses to the community. These contributory risk factors, however, do not excuse breed conduct. There are many under socialized breeds left unaltered and chained. Only two summon LifeFlight helicopters on a regular basis to save human lives: pit bulls and rottweilers.  Though far less common than pit bull type dogs — the most popular fighting breed in the world — other fighting breeds pose significant threat to public safety as well. These breeds stretch across the world, yet are primarily founded on the bulldog. The list includes: akita, bullmastiff, cane corso, dogo argentino, dogue de bordeaux, fila brasileiro, presa canario, shar pei, and tosa inu. Fighting breeds pose a unique danger to the public for two primary reasons. The first is that they fail to communicate intention. There is rarely a growl, bark or direct stare before an attack. The second is that they are bred for delivering a “sustained attack.” In these instances the victim is bitten multiple times, over an extended period of time, resulting in catastrophic injury. Fighting breeds are also inherently animal aggressive. Because of this trait, these breeds regularly attack our pets and livestock. Pit bulls are the most notorious for this crime, a crime that often goes unpunished. Advocates of these breeds say that animal-aggression does not lead to human-aggression. Yet, it nearly always does: a pit bull attacks a person’s dog and the dog’s owner gets injured trying to stop the attack.

Please click on the link below to read the complete Dogbites.org article:

http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs.htm

The Citron Law Firm, P.A. (www.citronlegal.com) is a civil trial practice law firm that specializes in professional liability and injury cases, commercial and real estate litigation and family law matters.  The Citron Law Firm is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at 707 S.E. Third Avenue, Sixth Floor – (954) 712-1686.