Male Dogs & Bite Statistics?

[Rottnlove]

I read this on another forum and I wanted to know what your thoughts were on this subject.

"There is an 8 out of 10 chance that a biting dog is male. (Humane Society of the United States.)"

Since I've never owned a male dog before, I'd like to know what you're thoughts are about this. Something tells me there is more information somewhere, but this is all I have.

[kaylynn143]

I don't know about statistics, but in my house if either one (which would be doubtful) was going to bite it would be my Bitch, Harley.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Where's Trish when you need her???? She just posted quite a bit of stuff about dog biting & the statistics. Maybe she'll be able to help out in this discussion. Oh Trish----where are you????:D :p

:)
Brooke

[Carol Burke]

Statistics can be made to show almost anything you want. Male dogs not properly contained tend to wander more then bitches which is probably why they get in more trouble.

My bitches tend to be much tougher then my dogs, but they have no reason to wander (if they were able to) because they are not searching for that neighbor's bitch that is in heat.

[TrishB]

Originally posted by Brooke&Ryan
Where's Trish when you need her???? She just posted quite a bit of stuff about dog biting & the statistics. Maybe she'll be able to help out in this discussion. Oh Trish----where are you????:D :p

:)
Brooke

Huh?? Ummm - maybe another Trish? Or am I having a brain-fart and need someone to kick start me?? LOL :D

Opinion? I don't think they track the sex of the dog. Or at least, I've never seen it posted. Heck, they have a hard enough time properly identifying the breed of a dog! I wouldn't trust them to properly log the sex of it.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Sorry Trish. Maybe it was ME having the brain fart. :p I just thought that at one time you had posted something about people needing to report dog bites so that it could be used for statistics about dog bites.

Brooke

[frontierrots]

The stats I read somewhere. Were that in the majority of dog bites the dog was an intact male and the victim was a male child under 12

[Rottnlove]

Wow, there are some interesting thoughts. on this subject. I think each of them could be contributing factors.

[Grendl]

I must have read the same thing as Dianne. The article I read went on to say that the child who was bitten was usually a family member. I went to the CDC web site earlier this summer and read a lengthy article about dog bites in the USA.

[frontierrots]

sounds like the same one.

It also said that in the majority of kid bites, the child went up to the dog- loose, leashed or tied

[Judi W]

I'm not sure of the methodology or where those statistics were obtained but I have read them before.

In my experience, bitches are quicker to use their teeth than males who prefer the intimidation posture prior to exerting themselves. Bitches are the ones who have to discipline the pups, who would be the ones to do the hunting.

A genetically sound and properly raised dog of any breed should be very reluctant to use its teeth on a human. That is why the dog joined human society in the first place is their inhibition to turn their teeth on their humans.

[TrishB]

Originally posted by Brooke&Ryan
Sorry Trish. Maybe it was ME having the brain fart. :p I just thought that at one time you had posted something about people needing to report dog bites so that it could be used for statistics about dog bites.

Brooke

Ah yes! I *DO* have very strong opinions of reporting bites. But at the same time - the system as it currently stands is sorely lacking.

Dogs called 'Pitbulls' or 'Rottweilers' are often not. An expert is not called upon to verify the breed of a dog. I can't tell you how many times I've had people mis-identify the breed of a dog which would have been obvious to anyone with a basic knowledge of dog breeds.

Anything with a mastiff type face can be called a Pitbull or Rottie. This includes Boxers, Bulldogs, Mastiffs, etc. Most have no idea of what a Pitbull even looks like (I describe them as "Do you remember Petey from the Little Rascals? - Yes? - THAT'S a Pitbull).

If the bite was by a family dog to a family member, I might trust the sex of the dog on the report. But the criteria of the what's and how's of dog bite reports is vague and various depending upon the individual reporting it. Therefore, I don't trust numbers such as these.

If they're going to report bites, they need to have an established criteria:
1) Establish breed where possible by an expert. In cases where it cannot be verified, no breed should be indicated (description, size, type, but not a breed). Registration numbers should be logged where possible.
2) The age and sex of the dog, including if it is altered or not, in heat or not.
3) The age and sex of the person bitten.
4) The location the bite occured, in detail.
5) The location of the bite on the person, how many bites / puncture wounds, seriousness, degree of medical attention required, full doctors report.
6) What was the dog doing at the time of the attack.
7) What was the person doing at the time of the attack.
8) How the attack began.
9) What happened during the attack.
10) How the attack ended.
11) Vaccination, health status of the dog.
12) Any formal training the dog obtained during it's life time, including any possible titles.
13) Where were the owners at the time of the attack.
14) The outcome of the review (dog was euthanized, muzzle order placed, victum was found at fault, training recommended and conducted, etc.)
15) Any additional notes that may have attributed to the case (other dogs involved, changes in their home, presence of puppies, neglect or abuse, etc.).

Until ALL of the above are logged - we will always lack the proper information to arm ourselves against BSL, to protect against further attacks, the bases for future education, etc.

[Judi W]

Because of my very suspicious nature, I tend to credit this "common wisdom" with an agenda of neutering all males for PC reasons. Most in the family bites are not even reported.

[rakishilover]

We are having a long debate over pit bulls and rotts and attacks on petfinder.com message boards.
I cant handle it anymore lol

[TrishB]

Originally posted by rakishilover
We are having a long debate over pit bulls and rotts and attacks on petfinder.com message boards.
I cant handle it anymore lol

What are you talking about? This discussion here is about reporting bites and the sex of the dogs. I'm confused.