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South Carolina

    Are Dogs A Real Danger?

  A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report

Over the past 43 years (1965 - present)  there have been 16 fatal dog attacks in South Carolina or approximately one fatality every three years.

At least 5 different breeds/types of dogs have been identified in fatal attacks in South Carolina, but the largest number of fatalities were attributed to dogs of no discernable breed, (i.e., very mixed breed dogs).

Of the 16 fatal attacks, the victims were: 5 adults and 11 children.

Two of the adult victims were intoxicated at the time of the attack, and were attacked by packs of loose roaming dogs.

Seventy percent (70%) of the children killed by dogs in South Carolina were killed by dogs that were kept on chains.

The last three cases of fatal dog attacks on children in South Carolina have resulted in the owners and/or parents being criminally charged with either involuntary manslaughter or unlawful conduct.

ALL the dogs involved in fatal attacks in South Carolina were intact (not spayed or neutered).

Despite the reckless and even criminal behavior of some dog owners in South Carolina, dogs still pose an incredibly low risk of death as demonstrated by the following statistics:

Fatal Dog Attacks in South Carolina as Compared to Other Selected Risks:

Snapshot of South Carolina:    Year    2005

Persons killed by dogs:         1
Fatal hunting accidents:         1
Child hypertheria death (left in hot car):         1
ATV-related fatalities:       10
Persons drowned in tub or swimming pool:       16
Bicyle-related deaths:       19
Alcohol-related traffic fatalities:     555
Total traffic fatalities (alcohol & non):  1,094
Tobacco-related deaths:  5,900

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

In 2005, twenty-three (23) South Carolina children died from maltreatment (abuse or neglect).

In ONE YEAR, more than TWICE as many South Carolina children died as the result of maltreatment than the TOTAL of ALL children killed by dog attacks in South Carolina over the last 43 years.

 So, are dogs a danger? In fact, people in South Carolina routintely accept far greater risks from ATVs, bicycles, and swimming pools than any that are associated with companion animals.

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