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Dog bite statistics ::
Each day, over 1,000 U.S. citizens require emergency treatment for dog bite injury.1 The following studies examine injury occurrence and the breeds most likely to bite.
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Dog bite deaths and maimings U.S. and Canada (1982-2009)
By compiling U.S. and Canadian press accounts between 1982 and 2009, Merritt Clifton, editor of Animal People, determined the breeds most responsible for serious injury and death:
The combination of pit bulls, rottweilers, presa canarios, and their mixes:
- 80% of attacks that induce bodily harm
- 69% of attacks to children
- 83% of attack to adults
- 68% of attacks that result in fatalities
- 74% that result in maiming
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U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities (2006-2008)
DogsBite.org, a national dog bite victims' group, recorded 88 U.S. fatal dog attacks between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2008. Pit bulls accounted for 59% of these deaths.
- Of the 88 fatal dog attacks recorded by DogsBite.org, pit bull type dogs were responsible for 59% (52). This is equivalent to a pit bull killing a U.S. citizen every 21 days during this 3-year period.
- The data also shows that pit bulls commit the vast majority of off-property attacks that result in death. Only 18% (16) of the attacks occurred off owner property, yet pit bulls were responsible for 81% (13).
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Nonfatal dog bite-related injuries (2001)
In 2001, the Center for Disease and Control published a study that examines the frequency of U.S. dog bite injuries treated by emergency care facilities.
- In 2001, an estimated 368,245 persons were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for nonfatal dog bite-related injuries.
- 42% of dog bites in 2001 occurred among children aged 14 years and younger; injury rates were highest among children aged 5-9 years and were significantly higher for boys than for girls.
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Breeds involved in fatal attacks (1979-1998)
Researchers reviewed a 20-year period from 1979 to 1998 to determine the types of dog breeds most responsible for U.S. dog bite fatalities.
- During 1997 and 1998, at least 27 people died of dog bite attacks (18 in 1997 and 9 in 1998). At least 25 breeds of dogs were involved in 238 human dog bite related fatalities during the past 20 years. Pit bulls and rottweilers were involved in over half of these fatalities and from 1997 to 1998 were involved in 67%.
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Which dogs bite? (1991)
Researchers conducted a study of which dogs bite based on 1991 Denver County dog bite data. Pit bulls were not represented in the study (In 1989 Denver banned pit bulls).
- 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
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