Arkansas
Are Dogs A Real Danger?
A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report
Over the past 43 years (1965 - present) there have been nine (9) fatal dog attacks in Arkansas, or approximately one (1) fatality every 4 to 5 years.
At least seven (7) different breeds/types of dogs have been involved in the nine (9) fatalities.
The victims were: 3 adults and 6 children.
Half of the child victims of fatal dog attacks in Arkansas were killed by chained dogs.
All the dogs involved in fatal attacks were intact (not spayed or neutered).
In 2001, dog owner, Carl Smith, received a 3 year prison sentence for manslaughter when his dangerous ownership practices resulted in the death of his neighbor by his three loose roaming dogs in Moreland, Arkansas.
In spite the reckless ownership practices of some dog owners, dogs still pose an incredibly low risk for causing a fatality:
Fatal Dog Attacks in Arkansas as Compared to Other Selected Risks:
Snapshot of Arkansas: 2005
| Fatal dog attacks: | 0 |
| Child hyperthermia deaths (left in hot cars): | 2 |
| Fatal hunting accidents: | 2 |
| Bicycle-related fatalities: | 6 |
| Persons drowned in bathtub or swimming pool: | 12 |
| ATV-related fatalities: | 17 |
| Alcohol-related traffic fatalities: | 218 |
| Total traffic fatalities (alcohol & non) | 654 |
| Tobacco-related deaths: | > 4,900 |
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
In 2005, seventeen (17) children died in Arkansas as the result of maltreatment (abuse/neglect).
In a SINGLE YEAR (2005), nearly THREE TIMES as many Arkansas children died from maltreatment than the TOTAL of ALL children killed by dogs in Arkansas over the past 43 years.
So, are dogs a real danger? In fact, people in Arkansas routintely accept far greater risks from bicycles, boats and swimming pools than any that are associated with companion animals.
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