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Maryland

Are Dogs A Real Danger?

A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report

Over the past 43 years (1965 - present) there have been 12 fatal dog attacks in Maryland, or approximately one (1) fatality every 3 to 4 years.

At least ten (10) different breeds/types of dogs have been involved in a fatal attack in Maryland.

All the dogs involved in fatal attacks in Maryland were intact (not spayed or neutered).

The victims were: 3 adults and 9 children.

Two of the nine child victims were infants left unattended in a baby swing with a dog(s). Three other cases involved older children attacked when they attempted to interact with chained or restrained dogs.  (One case was a boy throwing rocks at a chained dog and the dog breaking the chain and attacking the boy).

One of the adult victims was the owner of the dogs.  The dogs had previously attacked their owner and her 17-year-old daughter. The daughter needed over 30 stitches to close the wound.  Nevertheless, the owner not only kept the two dogs, but bred them, and a litter of puppies was on site the day the woman was attacked for a second, and fatal, time by her dogs. (1985)

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

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

Snapshot of Maryland:                    Year  2005

Persons killed by dogs:       0
Fatal hunting accidents:       1
Death after contact w/hornets, bees or wasps:       1
Child hyperthermia deaths (left in hot cars):       2
Bicycle-related fatalities:      10
ATV-related fatalities:      11
Persons drowned in tub or swimming pool:      15
Alcohol-related traffic fatalities:     239
Total traffic fatalities (alcohol & non):     614
Tobacco-related deaths:   6,800

Furthermore, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

In 2005, twenty-eight (28) Maryland children died as the result of maltreatment (abuse or neglect).

In a SINGLE YEAR, more than THREE TIMES as many Maryland children died from maltreatment (abuse or neglect) than the TOTAL of ALL children killed by dogs in Maryland over the past 43 years.

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

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