Florida
Are Dogs A Real Danger?
A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report
Over the past 43 years (1965 - present), there have been 34 fatal dog attacks in Florida or an average of one (1) fatality every 1-2 years.
At least eleven (11) different breeds/types* of dogs have been involved in fatal attacks in Florida.
* Two fatal attacks involved professionally trained K-9 dogs; with one dog "on duty" and the other K-9 dog "off duty" in the home of his police officer handler.
The victims were: 13 adults and 21 children.
Over 80% of the children killed by dogs in Florida were attacked when they were left unsupervised with unfamiliar dogs or they wandered off to the location of an unfamiliar dog(s).
One-third of all fatal attacks in Florida were inflicted by dogs that were maintained on chains or in dog kennels/pens.
Of the 34 cases of fatal attacks in Florida, only two fatalities were caused by neutered dogs. An additional fatality involved a neutered and an intact dog. All other cases of fatal dog attacks in Florida were inflicted by intact dogs (not spayed or neutered).
A significant number of fatal attacks in Florida were the result of extreme negligence or recklessness on the part of a dog owner:
In 1989, two Jacksonville owners were convicted of manslaughter after their loose roaming dogs attacked and killed an elderly neighbor.
In 2003, a Citra man was also convicted of manslaughter (w/culpable neglience) and received a 12-year sentence after his loose roaming dogs attacked and killed an elderly neighbor.
Two adult male victims exhibited reckless and dangerous behavior when they intentionally navigated barriers which were intended to contain the dogs:
In 1986, a man was attacked and killed after he climbed over his neighbor's fence and entered into the yard which contained three dogs. (Osteen)
In 2006, an intoxicated man was killed after he climbed into a kennel containing two dogs. (Miami)
In spite of the reckless and dangerous ownership practices of some dog owners, dogs still pose an incredibly low risk for causing a fatality:
Fatal Dog Attacks in Florida as Compared to Other Selected Risks:
Snapshot of Florida: Year: 2005
| Persons killed by dogs: | 0 |
| Death after contact with venomous snake: | 1 |
| Child deaths after left in hot car: | 2 |
| Death after contact with hornets, wasps or bees: | 4 |
| Persons killed by lightning: | 5 |
| Persons drowned in bathtubs: | 15 |
| Child (< 5 yrs. old) drowned in swimming pool: | 44* |
| Older children & adults drowned in swimming pool: | 47* |
| ATV-related fatalities: | 55 |
| Bicycle-related fatalities: | 135 |
| Alcohol-related traffic fatalities: | 1,553 |
| Total traffic fatalities (alcohol and non-alcohol): | 3,518 |
| Tobacco-related deaths: | >32,000 |
* Total: 91 persons drowned in swimming pools in Florida in 2005.
Furthermore, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
In 2005, 117 Florida children died from maltreatment (abuse or neglect).
In a SINGLE YEAR, 2005, more than FIVE TIMES as many Florida children died from maltreatment (abuse/neglect) than the TOTAL from ALL dog attacks over the past 43 years.
So, are dogs a danger? In fact, people in Florida routinely accept far greater risks from ATVs, bicycles and swimming pools than any that are associated with companion animals.
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