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The truth about dog bites and dogsbite.org

By February 3, 2020March 4th, 2020Legislation

The following is a REAL dog bite study, unlike the bogus and inaccurate data promoted by Coleen Lynn at dogsbite.org.

Here is the latest article going around that is using their false data.
https://citywatchla.com/index.php/cw/animal-watch/19393-pit-bull-attack-epidemic-spreads-worldwide-87-human-victims-in-us-canada-in-2-months

The conclusion of this science based study (not a conclusion based on the former’s wishful thinking) demonstrates that breed is not a contributing factor in dog bite fatalities, and breed specific legislation is not the solution for eliminating dog bite fatalities.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Co-occurrence of potentially preventable factors in 256 dog bite–related fatalities in the United States (2000–2009)

Objective—To examine potentially preventable factors in human dog bite–related fatalities (DBRFs) on the basis of data from sources that were more complete, verifiable, and accurate than media reports used in previous studies.

Design—Prospective case series.

Sample—256 DBRFs occurring in the United States from 2000 to 2009.

Procedures—DBRFs were identified from media reports and detailed histories were compiled on the basis of reports from homicide detectives, animal control reports, and interviews with investigators for coding and descriptive analysis.

Results—Major co-occurrence factors for the 256 DBRFs included

  • Absence of an able-bodied person to intervene (n = 223 [87.1%])
  • Incidental or no familiar relationship of victims with dogs (218 [85.2%])
  • Owner failure to neuter dogs (216 [84.4%])
  • Compromised ability of victims to interact appropriately with dogs (198 [77.4%])
  • Dogs kept isolated from regular positive human interactions versus family dogs (195 [76.2%])
  • Owners’ prior mismanagement of dogs (96 [37.5%])
  • Owners’ history of abuse or neglect of dogs (54 [21.1%])

Four or more of these factors co-occurred in 206 (80.5%) deaths. For 401 dogs described in various media accounts, reported breed differed for 124 (30.9%); for 346 dogs with both media and animal control breed reports, breed differed for 139 (40.2%). Valid breed determination was possible for only 45 (17.6%) DBRFs; 20 breeds, including 2 known mixes, were identified.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Most dog bite–related fatalities were characterized by coincident, preventable factors; breed was not one of these. Study results supported previous recommendations for multifactorial approaches, instead of single-factor solutions such as breed-specific legislation, for dog bite prevention.

Additional Resources from the AVMA
Dog Bite Risk and Prevention: The Role of Breed
Dog Bite Prevention
Why Breed-specific Legislation Is not the Answer