What are the Most Dangerous Dogs?: Dog Bite Safety

Thursday, August 2, 2012

What are the Most Dangerous Dogs?: Dog Bite Safety

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

If you want to know the answer to the question, “what are the most dangerous dogs?”, chances are you are considering ownership, or are concerned for the safety of friends or family who have a dog, or live near a potentially dangerous dogs. Some breeds have a natural propensity for aggressive behavior, no matter how well trained they are. These breeds are important to recognize so that you and your family can take extra special safety precautions when they are present.

So what are the most dangerous dogs?

According to 2011 research from DogBite.org, the most dog bites by breed come from pit bull terriers, any ancestors of pit bull terriers, rottweilers, and wolf hybrids. Over a seven year time-frame between 2005 to 2011, pit bull terriers and rottweilers accounted for over 74% of recorded fatal attacks in the United States. Additionally, from 1982 to 2011, pit bulls accounted for 215 fatalities and rottweiler attacks led to 81 fatalities. Moreover, these breeds and their mixes accounted for 64% of the 466 total recorded fatal attacks in the U.S. and Canada over that time period.

By far, the most dangerous dog on this list is the pit bull, which poses a significant danger due to the breed’s creation for dog-fighting. Moreover, pit bulls often will not communicate aggressive intention prior to an attack, and they naturally employ a lethal hold-and-shake bite style.

Dog bites can leave permanent scars, both emotional and physical. Additionally, there are many misconceptions about who is at risk for a dog bite; tragically, most dog bite victims are children and these innocent injured parties often must go through grueling recuperative surgeries and therapies to heal. According to the CDC, each year, 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites, and half of these are children. Of those injured, 386,000 require treatment in an emergency department and about 16 die. The rate of dog bite-related injuries is highest for children ages 5 to 9 years, and the rate decreases as children age. Almost two thirds of injuries among children ages four years and younger are to the head or neck region.

Safety Considerations When Bringing Home a Dog

• Make sure you consult with a veterinarian to learn about suitable breeds of dogs for your household.
• Considering dog bites by breed is important, as dogs with histories of aggression are inappropriate in households with children.
• Before buying or adopting a dog, make sure that you (and your family) have spent some time getting the know the personality of the pooch in question.
• Be very careful when bringing a dog into the home of a child, infant or toddler.
• To reduce a dog’s aggressive tendencies, make sure they are spayed/neutered before bringing them home.
• Leaving infants or young children alone with any dog can be very dangerous.
• Playing aggressive games with your dog is an easy way to receive a bite.
• Train any dog submissive behaviors, like rolling over to expose their belly and giving up food without growling.

State laws are often clear about how dog bites should be handled. If a dog that you did not provoke bites you, you may be entitled to damages. Similarly, if you sustained injury while fleeing from an aggressive dog, you’re similarly protected and you can seek damages. Often, if you are injured while on another’s property, the dog owner’s homeowner insurance will pay for medical bills, surgery to repair scar damage, and any lost wages during recuperation. Many states are also “first bite” states, which means that even if a dog has never bitten anyone before, you would be entitled to damages if bitten.

It is clearly very important to know that the risk factor for dog bites by breed can vary. When wondering “what are the most dangerous dogs”, look no further than pit bulls and rottweilers. However, while any breed of dog can make an excellent companion, understanding their tendencies is key to you and your families safety.

If things go wrong and you or a loved one is bitten by someone’s dog, legal assistance may be necessary. Our law firm has an on-staff physician who holds a law degree, so we can thoroughly assess your injuries and figure out the most strategic way to move your claim forward.

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