Which Dogs Bite? [View all]

[baldguy]

http://www.mercer.edu/psychology/faculty_staff/wright_jc/downloadable_articles/Which_Dogs_Bite_A_Case-Control_Study_of_Risk_Factors.pdf

Which Dogs Bite?: A Case-Control Study of Risk Factors; Gershman K. A., Sacks J. J., Wright J. C., Pediatrics. 1994 Jun; 93 (6 Pt 1): 913-7.

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We identified biting dogs (cases) from all 1991 reports to the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter (DMAS), the animal control agency for Denver County. Eligible cases were dogs reported to DMAS in 1991 for biting a nonhousehold member and whose victim received medical treatment as indicated on the bite report. We excluded dogs if they had bitten a nonhousehold member before the reported bite in 1991 because the owners, in response, may have changed dog-rearing practices, discipline, and training, and because dogs that repeatedly bite are likely to be removed from the household. We also excluded dogs if more than one dog was involved in the bite episode, the dog had been owned for < 6 months before the reported bite, the owner was not a Denver County resident, or if the owner's telephone number was not listed on the bite report.

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Children aged 12 years and younger were the victims in 51% of cases. Compared with controls, biting dogs were more likely to be German Shepherd or Chow Chow predominant breeds, male, residing in a house with ? 1 children, and chained while in the yard.

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Pediatricians should advise parents that failure to neuter a dog and selection of male dogs and certain breeds such as German Shepherd and Chow Chow may increase the risk of their dog biting a nonhousehold member, who often may be a child.

http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dogbites/whatisadogbite/

Breed Labeling and Dog Bites

Bite totals become even more misleading when subdivided by breed descriptors. At least half of the dogs in the United States are mixed breed dogs. It is impossible to breed label dogs of unknown history and genetics solely on the basis of their appearance.

Research conducted at two (2) universities has confirmed that attempts to identify visually the breeds in a dog of unknown origin correlate poorly with a DNA analysis of the same dog. Further, different observers, even those with considerable experience with dogs, do not agree with each other. Nevertheless, animal controls and shelter workers continue to assign single breed descriptors to dogs likely to be of mixed breed whose origins are unknown.

Even if visual breed identifications were accurate, dog bite totals still would not provide evidence that some breeds or groups of dogs bit more frequently than others. Breed populations within a given jurisdiction are not known. Therefore, incident rates cannot be calculated with any accuracy. Further, on the basis of samples obtained from veterinary clinics, animal shelters, and dog licensing, we can conclude that the popularity of types of dogs varies from place to place, and changes over time.

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There is no national system in the United States for tallying reports of dog bites. The often-repeated estimates currently cited to argue that there is still a dog bite "epidemic" derive from two telephone surveys conducted to assess a wide variety of injury risk factors and injuries. The first survey was conducted in 1994. From among the 5,328 persons who responded to this survey, interviewers obtained reports of 186 dog bites participants reported had occurred within the 12 months prior to the interview. (Only 38 of the 186 bitten sought medical attention). The second survey, conducted between July 2001 and February 2003, returned a result showing that dog bites had declined overall, and had declined significantly among children.

Note: breed labels in media reports is based almost entirely on visual breed identification.

In the 2 studies noted above (1) (2), professional dog experts were asked to view a number of dogs and visually identify the predominant breed of the dogs. These professionals were wrong 43% of the time. Remember this anytime you see a news report of a "Pit Bull" biting someone. Trying to identify a dog's breed visually is little better than flipping a coin.

http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dogbites/the-problems-with-dog-bite-studies/

We have always known the cause of dog bite injuries

From the first dog bite study published more than 50 years ago until today, the conclusions and recommendations of the researchers have shared a lot in common.

"This study of the epidemiology of dog bites would seem to indicate that human factors are more important than environmental factors in the genesis of dog bites." -- Henry M. Parrish, 1959

"Education programs aimed at influencing the behavior of pet owners, particularly with respect to the responsibilities of ownership, would do much to reduce the magnitude of the problems." -- H. Michael Maetz, 1975

"Poor owner control blamed for increase in dog bites." -- Washington Post, 1975

"The growing problem of dog control can only be solved if dog owners realize their responsibilities as pet owners." -- Lancaster Farming, 1978

"Efforts to prevent severe dog bites should be focused primarily at the level of the owner." -- John C. Wright, 1985

"Generic non-breed-specific dangerous dog laws can be enacted that place primary responsibility for a dog's behavior on the owner . . . In particular, targeting chronically irresponsible down owners may be effective." -- Jeffrey J. Sacks, et al, 2000

"The dog bite problem is not a disease problem with a single vector; it is a complex societal issue that must address a wide range of human behaviors in ways that deal with irresponsible behavior that puts people and animals at risk." -- Randall Lockwood, 2007

If we want better outcomes in our communities, we need to promote responsible pet ownership: the humane care, custody and control of all dogs.

If you're REALLY worried about dog bites, you should support correcting the things that cause them: like making sure that all dogs are trained & socialized properly, making sure that all dogs are spayed or neutered, making sure that no dogs suffer neglect and/or abuse, and if they do, making sure the dogs are properly rehabilitated.

You should NOT do is to fixate on one particular factor to the exclusion of all else and which is not determinative in predicting bites - the breed of dog. When you see a web site or story reporting that the breed is the SOLE determining factor, THEY ARE LYING TO YOU! And when you spread their lies, you are doing nothing to help curb the problem you're concerned about. And when you support Breed Specific Legislation, you're actually making that problem worse. Why? Because it is a simplistic approach to a complex problem, and it doesn't address the real issues.

The Humane Society of the United States, the American Veterinary Association, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Kennel Club, the American Bar Association, and the National Canine Research Council - In short, precisely ALL of the people who know the relevant law, medicine & canine behavior – they ALL are opposed to Breed Specific Legislation and breed bans.