DOG BITES AND DOG ATTACKS

Summer is just around the corner and people are getting spring fever.  This means that more people will be up and about the neighborhood walking their dogs and using their yards.  The possibilities now of a dog getting out of the yard or out and about with or without their owner is probably higher than the winter time.  Some interesting statistics about dog bites and dog attacks across the nation.  These statistics include dog bites throughout cities of California such as Rocklin, Loomis, Roseville, Sacramento, Chico, San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Jose, Redding, Red Bluff, Oroville, Sunnyvale, Fresno, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, San Diego and other parts of California.

According to the editors of Animal People a study compiled from September 1982 through December 2012 about dog bites and attacks throughout Canada and the United States revealed some interesting findings.  By far Pit bulls and Rottweiler’s caused the most damage and injuries.  For the Pit bull, 2235 people received bodily harm by Pit bulls and of those 911 were children.  There were 233 deaths and 1,268 maiming’s or maulings.  Note of the 15 Doberman attacks 7 people died.  So interestingly the death rate of Doberman’s was much higher than other breads of dogs.  During the same time period 81 people died from Rottweiler attacks.  There were only 495 attacks or injuries from Rottweiler’s.  Rottweiler’s made up approximately 2.2% of the dog population and Pit bulls make up about 4.4% of the dog population.  So you can see the Pit bull injuries due to bite or attack are much higher than the Rottweiler and any other breed that is not even close to the numbers noted above.

Another study by Dogsbite.org shows the statistics for a three year period from 2006 through 2008.  There were 88 fatal dog attacks recorded and Pit bulls were responsible for 59% of the deaths.   The off-property deaths from Pit bulls shows how dangerous they can be when let out of a yard or roaming free.  Of the 88 fatal dog attacks and bites 8 were of senior citizens that were killed by Pit bulls while standing in their own backyard, while taking a morning walk or getting the mail.

I know Pit bull and Rottweiler lovers will say that the dogs are being framed but the statistics are clear that those two breeds of dogs are very dangerous.  On time a neighbor’s friend brought their Pit bull with them and the dog came running toward me in an open field.  Fortunately I picked up big rocks and threw them at the dog causing the dog to turn and run away.

It is true that all dogs can bite or injure someone but generally speaking the more mild breeds of dogs are unlikely to maim or kill a person.  So while you are enjoying the spring and summer beware of dogs out on the loose and the dangers of Pit bulls and Rottweiler’s.  You don’t want to have to meet with a personal injury Lawyer such as Fred Penney of Penney and Associates so try to stay away from dogs that might attack or bite you.

Fred Penney Attorney at Law