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Idaho

Are Dogs A Real Danger?

A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report

Over the past 43 years (1965 - present) there have been four (4) fatal dog attacks in Idaho, or approximately one (1) fatal attack every decade.

Two of the four fatal "dog" attacks in Idaho were inflicted by Wolf dogs.*

* This is noted due to the fact that Wolf dogs are not a domestic dog, and arguably should not be grouped alongside domestic dogs in statistics on fatal attacks without an acknowledgement to the "wolf / wild" component of the animal's make-up.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the population of Idaho has doubled from 1970 to 2006, (from 713,015 to 1,466,465). In spite of the increased human and dog populations in Idaho, fatal dog attacks have not increased over the past 4 decades:

Each decade has had one fatality:

Each of the fatalities in Idaho were preventable if either the parents had supervised their very young child with animals, or in one case if the owner had not allowed his dog to roam loose.

In spite of the reckless ownership practices of some dog attacks, dog still pose an incredibly low risk for causing a fatality:

Fatal Dog Attacks in Idaho as Compared to Other Selected Risks:

Fatalities in Idaho over 6 year span:           2000-2005

Persons killed by dogs:         1
Child hyperthermia death (left in hot car):         1
Persons killed by lightning:         2
Persons killed in hunting accidents:         2
Death after contact w/hornets, bees or wasps:         2
Child abuse deaths:       13
Bicycle-related fatalities:       19
Persons drowned in tub or swimming pool:       27
Persons killed in ATV accidents:       61
Alcohol-related trafffic fatalities:      579
Total traffic fatalities  (alcohol & non)    1,637
Tobacco-related deaths: > 8,500

 

So, are dogs a danger?  Fact is, people in Idaho routinely accept far greater risks from bicycles, swimming pools and ATVs, than any that are associated with companion animals.

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