National Canine Research Council
Home | About NCRC | NCRC Research | NCRC Resources | Dogs in the Media | Are Dogs a Danger in Your State? | Fear vs. Fact | Canine Aggression | Recent Case Studies | An Epidemic of Dog Bites? | Politics and BSL | Contact NCRC

Oklahoma

Are Dogs A Real Danger?

A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report

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

At least eight (8) different breeds/types of dogs have been identified in the fatal attacks in Oklahoma.

The victims were:  2 adults and 12 children.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the population of Oklahoma has increased by over 1 million people from 1970 to 2006.  Despite the increase in both the human and dog populations in Oklahoma, fatal dog attacks have decreased in the last decade. 

       Fatal Dog Attacks in Oklahoma:

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

At least two of the dogs involved in fatal attacks suffered abuse and/or starvation.

Two of the dog owners/parents were charged with criminal offenses:

In 1987, a Jones couple was convicted of criminal negligence after they allowed their 16-month-old daughter to wander out to one of four dogs kept chained behind their trailer.

In 2005, C. Lewis was charged with involuntary manslaughter after allowing his 4-year-old nephew to wander out to a chained, emaciated dog in his backyard. (Case still pending.)

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

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

Snapshot of Oklahoma:                      Year   2005

Persons killed by dog:       1
Fatal hunting accidents:       1
Persons killed by lightning:       2
Child hyperthermia deaths (left in hot car):       4
Bicycle-related fatalities:       7
Persons drowned in tub or swimming pool:      12
ATV-related fatalities:      18
Alcohol-related traffic fatalities:     286
Total traffic fatalities (alcohol & non):     803
Tobacco-related deaths: > 5,800

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

In 2005, 41 children in Oklahoma died as the result of maltreatment (abuse/neglect).

In a SINGLE YEAR, 2005, more than THREE TIMES as many Oklahoma children died from maltreatment (abuse/neglect) than the TOTAL of ALL children killed by dog attacks in Oklahoma over the past 43 years.

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

www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com