Oregon
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 Oregon, or approximately one (1) fatality every decade.
At least four (4) different breeds/types of dogs have been identified as participating in a fatal attack in Oregon.
The victims were: 4 children.
One victim was an infant left unattended with an unfamiliar dog.
The other three (3) cases involved unsupervised children and chained dogs. (Two cases involved boys attempting to interact with a chained dog, and one case involved a small girl falling off a porch and into the space of a chained guard dog).
All the dogs involved in fatal attacks in Oregon were intact (not spayed or neutered).
In spite of the negligent ownership practices of some dog owners, dog still pose an incredibly low risk for causing a fatality:
Fatal Dog Attacks in Oregon as Compared to Other Selected Risks:
Snapshot of Oregon: Year 2005
| Persons killed by dogs: | 0 |
| Death from contact with bees, hornets or wasps: | 1 |
| ATV-related fatalities: | 11 |
| Persons drowned in bathtub or swimming pool: | 12 |
| Bicycle-related fatalities: | 14 |
| Alcohol-related traffic fatalities: | 177 |
| Total traffic fatalities (alcohol & non): | 487 |
| Tobacco-related deaths: | 5,000 |
Furthermore, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
In 2005, eighteen (18) Oregon children died as the result of maltreatment (abuse or neglect).
In a SINGLE YEAR, more than FOUR TIMES as many Oregon children died from maltreatment (abuse/neglect) than the TOTAL of ALL children killed by dog attacks in Oregon over the past 43 years.
So, are dogs a danger? Fact is, people in Oregon routinely accept far greater risks from bicycles, ATVs and swimming pools than any that are associated with companion animals.
www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com