Colorado statistics

[poohbearsmom]

Since Colorado instituted a ban on pit bulls in some areas a few years ago, I think the data that the following website contains is quite educational. Specifically, Breed Bans don't work.

I finally had some time to read through this; the statistics are very interesting and help debunk some of the ideas people may have regarding dog breeds and neutering/spaying when it comes to bite incidents and aggression.

Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy.


CLSD -Welcome!

[jeebs12]

Very interesting articles. I took offense with this statement in the New Yorker article:

"A mean pit bull is a dog that has been turned mean, by selective breeding, by being cross-bred with a bigger, human-aggressive breed like German shepherds or Rottweilers, or by being conditioned in such a way that it begins to express hostility to human beings."

[poohbearsmom]

Yes, and when I look at the statistics, it really makes statements like that look as ignorant as they actually are, IMO.

[hast]

And Rottweilers bit in response to provocation more than any other breed... It always amazes me how stupid some people can be.

[poohbearsmom]

We took Bug up to HHI for my Bday a couple weeks ago. We stopped at a service station and after gassing up, I pulled over by a grass strip to exercise her.

A blonde woman, mid 40's, pulled up in her little Miata, jumped out of her car, bound over and before I could even react completely, threw her arms around Bug's shoulders and proceeded to bury her face into Bug's muzzle!!! THANK DOG Bug has the temperament she has!!!!! I was beside myself!

Let's just say Mrs. Enthusiastic left the scene a little less enthusiastic and a little more educated than she entered it!!!!

[doodsangel]

I find these statistics very interesting. I still think they should actually ban small dogs for biting.

I am of the opinion that 99% of small dog bites don't get reported as there is a very big difference between getting bitten by a big dog and being mauled by a Maltese Poodle. Even for the slightest big dog bite, people overreact and charge off to the hospital, but when their kids gets mauled by mom's maltese, the kid gets a band-aid (if the mauling is severe enough to break skin) and the incident just gets shrugged off.

In my life I have only once been bitten by a big dog (my mistake - assumption is the mother of all ...) and I can't even count all the times bitten by a "stoep k@kker" (small dog).

[poohbearsmom]

I think the lesson to learn here is that inadequate/improper management is the cause of most dog bites.

It's a human issue.

[freakygoldfish]

I haven't read the entire thing (55 pages, wow), but I found the fact that the more dog aggressive breeds were huskies, goldens and pits. I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "you never hear about goldens or labs attacking."

[freakygoldfish]

Originally Posted by doodsangel

I find these statistics very interesting. I still think they should actually ban small dogs for biting.

I am of the opinion that 99% of small dog bites don't get reported as there is a very big difference between getting bitten by a big dog and being mauled by a Maltese Poodle. Even for the slightest big dog bite, people overreact and charge off to the hospital, but when their kids gets mauled by mom's maltese, the kid gets a band-aid (if the mauling is severe enough to break skin) and the incident just gets shrugged off.

In my life I have only once been bitten by a big dog (my mistake - assumption is the mother of all ...) and I can't even count all the times bitten by a "stoep k@kker" (small dog).

That's no different that banning Rotties or Pits. Do you really want the people who can't even control a Chihuahua to own a Rottie? If you start banning small dogs, then that's what they'll do. I have serious Chihuahua issues, but I certainly would never say they should be banned. That would make me a huge hypocrite!

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by freakygoldfish

That's no different that banning Rotties or Pits. Do you really want the people who can't even control a Chihuahua to own a Rottie? If you start banning small dogs, then that's what they'll do. I have serious Chihuahua issues, but I certainly would never say they should be banned. That would make me a huge hypocrite!

Bingo.

Why would you think a rottweiler shouldn't be banned but a small dog should? That's silly.

After working with dogs for the past decade, I can assure you there are as many nice little dogs as there are larger dogs... the ones who aren't are the ones who tend to stick out in our minds.... and that goes for any breed or size of dog. The aggression makes an impression.

While there are unprovoked attacks, it's still a matter of proper (or improper) management.. either due to ignorance, laziness or just plain old fashioned bad behavior of humans. Accidents do happen, but most can be avoided with a little common sense and forethought and education.

If you look at the total dog population, honestly, the percentage of bite vicitms compared to the number of dogs is actually quite small. This in itself says a great deal about dogs and the lengths they'll go to NOT to bite humans!

[doodsangel]

Originally Posted by doodsangel

I find these statistics very interesting. I still think they should actually ban small dogs for biting.

Thìs was actually meant as sarcasm, but I guess it got lost in translation. I guess smileys would've helped, but I'm posting from my phone and don't know all that BBCode.

I don't like the idea of bannning any dogs. Just wanted to say that I think small dogs, especially small dogs in the terrier group, has a lot more temperament issues than large dogs but in most cases their just too small to do severe damage like tearing off a person's face.

[hast]

I'm in Sweden right now, and interestingly enough just read an article about "rottie ownership". The author has done a small 'research' about dog bite incidents in Sweden for a few years. Her comment was that if someone get nipped by a rottie, the media reports "ROTTWEILER BIT whoever" if it was a lab or a golden the media reports that a dog bit said person. It's not a formal research, but I have a feeling that a real research in the US would find the same thing. If it's a "soft" breed they don't set out what kind of dog it was, at lest not in the headlines.

[doodsangel]

Originally Posted by hast

I'm in Sweden right now, and interestingly enough just read an article about "rottie ownership". The author has done a small 'research' about dog bite incidents in Sweden for a few years. Her comment was that if someone get nipped by a rottie, the media reports "ROTTWEILER BIT whoever" if it was a lab or a golden the media reports that a dog bit said person. It's not a formal research, but I have a feeling that a real research in the US would find the same thing. If it's a "soft" breed they don't set out what kind of dog it was, at lest not in the headlines.

Either they don't mentìon the breed or they wrongfully attribute the bite tn a rotty.

Hey, its a large dog and it bit someone so it must be a rotty

[Karyn]

My neighbor's little itty, bitty, chi bites me every time I go over! While My rottie - just goes for pets when she comes over then goes sits in his crate and she tells me my dog is "unstable". Her dogs run the fence and bark like lunatics - while my rottie is at the other end of my yard doing his business - not barking - and comes right in when he is done.
I hate little dogs that are untrained and are thought to be "cute" rather than rude - which they are.

[freakygoldfish]

Originally Posted by doodsangel

Either they don't mentìon the breed or they wrongfully attribute the bite tn a rotty.

Hey, its a large dog and it bit someone so it must be a rotty

You are absolutely right! When the French woman was attacked and had to have a face transplant, it was initially reported that the dog who attacked her was a pit. It turned out it was her own Labrador Retriever!