-
Dog aggression is the No. 1 reason for dog-inflicted injuries. -
Prey aggressionDogs bite for various reasons. Even the gentlest dog is capable of biting given the right circumstances. There are many forms of dog aggression. These include: pain or fear, prey aggression (chases for food), dominance aggression, maternal aggression, redirected aggression (dog bites in frustration), and sexual aggression. All of these can induce a dog to bite. -
Statistics on dog bites are misleading at best.The statistics are estimates and not backed up with sound data collection techniques. The CDC used an old study supplemented with data from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), an animal rights organization, on dog attacks between 1979 and 1998. The data suggest that certain breeds kill people far more than others, but they don't really tell the whole story. Dogs that kill are typically large enough to kill a person, but the breed may not be all that aggressive.
Because dog bites are under-reported, their numbers are estimated instead of using actual reported numbers in cities. In fact, the 4.7 million number was formulated through one telephone study by the CDC that was not random, but was heavily weighted toward 50 percent response (50 percent females answering and 50 percent males), and required a minimum of 10 percent of minorities responding. No facts corroborate that one in 64 people in the U.S. will get bitten. -
Could a nip from this guy constitute a dog bite?The difficulty furthermore lies in what is classified as a dog bite. A nip from a playful puppy is a dog bite. So is a bite from a dog trying to defend itself from another dog when a person's hand gets in the way. So is a bite from a dog in pain. Some governments count scratches from a dog's nail, or bites from a dog being cared for by a veterinarian or other pet professional. -
Breed-specific laws don't work.The CDC study says the top five dangerous dogs are "pit-bull type," Rottweiler, German shepherd, "Husky-type" and Malamute. The media and certain municipalities are quick to point their fingers at "pit bulls" and other so-called dangerous dog breeds. But this may not be correct. The problem is that even veterinarians, dog control officials and other dog professionals have difficultly determining what exact breed a dog is. These professionals have incorrectly identified dogs of mixed and purebred heritage as "pit bulls."
Recent studies by researchers at the School of Veterinary Medicine in Barcelona came up with a different set of biting dogs, showing that English cocker spaniels, Yorkshire terriers, Rottweilers, boxers and German shepherds were most likely to bite, and usually because the dog was poorly trained. Other recent studies in Colorado point to lack of training, and dogs that are intact (not neutered) and tied up are more likely to bite than those who are trained and neutered. -
Responsible owners make for well-behaved dogs.You can help prevent being bitten by your own dog by choosing your dog carefully from a breeder or a shelter. Look for a dog that isn't aggressive or that doesn't come from aggressive parents. Put your dog through obedience training. Socialize your puppy/dog with various people and children. Vaccinate your dog against diseases such as rabies, and obey all leash laws. Never leave a child alone with your dog and always supervise any playing that occurs.
