Pit bulls most deadly breed for 2013

Monday, February 3, 2014

Pit bulls most deadly breed for 2013

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

A report on the dog bite statistics shows that, tragically, 32 U.S. citizens died from dog bite-related injuries in 2013. Pit bulls make up 6 percent of the dog population yet accounted for 25 deaths—78 percent of all dog bite deaths in 2013. From 2005 to 2013, pit bulls killed 176 Americans, so is the breed completely dangerous? Malman Law examines the breed with the bad reputation:

Why do pit bulls lead in dog bite deaths?

English immigrants originally brought pit bulls, or what we would now today recognize as pit bulls, to the United States as means to control livestock. Eventually, owners began using them in a blood sport called “baiting,” in which dogs were meant to attack each other by biting one another’s face. They usually only let go once the other dog lost enough blood to stop fighting. While not all pit bulls still act this way, many still have traces of the fighting temperament embedded within them. This is why today when pit bulls bite humans, they are more likely to grip on until significant blood loss or even death, just as they did for “baiting.”

How to protect yourself from a pit bull dog bite

You can’t expect that every pit bull that crosses your path is out to kill or even just bite you, but because pit bulls can be dangerous, you may want to be prepared against an attack. The following tips can help you if you ever think a pit bull might attempt to attack you:

  • Pay attention to a dog’s natural behavior. A pit bull that approaches you may be friendly, but if you see its hair begin to rise or its ears begin to flatten, the dog may be aggressive.
  • Don’t panic, even if panicking is your first instinct. Any dog can sense your fear and may then attack you.
  • Don’t run. This could trigger a pit bull’s hunting or aggression instincts.
  • Don’t turn your back on the dog.
  • Protect your throat if you are attacked. If you have fallen down, curl into a ball and place your hands around the back of your neck.

What to do if you’ve been bitten by a dog

If a pit bull or any other dog has attacked you, an attorney in Illinois can help you get the compensation you need for your medical bills, as well as your pain and suffering. Dog bite attorneys concentrate in helping victims get the justice they need. Malman Law encourages you to read up on your rights following a dog bite, or you may contact us today for additional legal help.

Steve Malman

Malman Law’s founder Attorney Steven Malman has over 30 years of experience handling personal injury, nursing home, medical malpractice, truck accidents, car accidents, premises liability, construction, and workers’ compensation cases in Chicago, IL.

Years of experience: +30 years
Illinois Registration Status: Active and authorized to practice law—Last Registered Year: 2024

What’s your case worth? Submit for a free case review

Related Blog Posts

view all news