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Minnesota

                  Are Dogs A Real Danger?

       A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report

Over the past 43 years (1965 - present) there have been three (3) fatal dog attacks in Minnesota or approximately one (1) dog attack fatality every 14 years.

Two different breeds of dogs have been involved in the three fatal attacks.

One of the three fatal attacks in Minnesota involved loose roaming dogs attacking a child on a bicycle, (1984). The other two fatal dog attacks were inflicted on unsupervised children attempting to interact with a chained dog, (1981, 2007).

The third and latest fatal attack (2007) occurred in Minneapolis with a intact, male dog chained in the basement. The dog had a history of biting and aggression. There was also a female dog on the premises, and a litter of puppies. The owner/father has been charged with Manslaughter 2nd.

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

Although the population of humans and dogs in Minnesota has increased over the past 20 years, there has been NO increase in the number of fatal dog attacks in the state.

And despite the reckless ownership practices of some dog owners, dogs still pose an incredibly low risk for causing a fatal as demonstrated by the following statistics:

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

Snapshot of Minnesota:                    Year  2005

Persons killed by dogs                                                      0

Child hyperthermia death (left in hot car):                

      1 
Death after contact w/hornets, bees or wasps:       2
Fatal hunting accidents:       2
Bicycle-related deaths:       9
Persons drowned in tub or swimming pool:      17
ATV-related deaths:      46
Alcohol-related traffic fatalities:    208
Total traffic fatalities:    559
Tobacco-related deaths:  5,500

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

In 2005, fifteen (15) children died from maltreatment (abuse/neglect) in Minnesota.

In a SINGLE YEAR (2005), FIVE TIMES as many Minnesota children died as a result of abuse or neglect than the TOTAL of ALL children killed by dogs in Minnesota over the past 43 years.

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

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