South Dakota
Are Dogs A Real Danger?
A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report
Over the past 43 years (1965 - present) there have been five (5) fatal dog attacks in the South Dakota, or approximately one (1) fatality every eight (8) years.
In each of the five (5) fatalities a different breed/type of dog was responsible.
The victims were: 1 adult and 4 children.
Two of the children were killed when they attempted to interact with unfamiliar, chained dogs.
The last fatal attack in South Dakota was in 1997, when a 5-year-old girl was attacked after trying to hug a chained dog.
All the dogs involved in fatal attacks in South Dakota were intact (not spayed or neutered).
In spite of the negligent ownership practices of some dog owners, dogs still pose an incredibly low risk for causing a fatality:
Fatal Dog Attacks in South Dakota as Compared to Other Selected Risks:
Snapshot of South Dakota: Year 2005
| Persons killed by dogs: | 0 |
| Child hyperthermia death (left in hot car): | 1 |
| Bicycle-related fatalities: | 1 |
| Persons drowned in tub or swimming pool: | 1 |
| ATV-related fatalities: | 6 |
| Alcohol-related traffic fatalities: | 81 |
| Total traffic fatalities (alcohol & non): | 186 |
| Tobacco-related deaths: | 1,100 |
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
In 2005, four (4) South Dakota children died from maltreatment (abuse or neglect).
In a SINGLE YEAR, 2005, the same amount of children died from maltreatment as the TOTAL of ALL children killed by dogs in South Dakota over the past 43 years.
So, are dogs a danger? Fact is, people in South Dakota routinely accept far greater risks from bicycles, ATVs and swimming pools than any that are associated with companion animals.
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