Washington
Are Dogs A Real Danger ?
A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report
Over the past 43 years (1965 -present) there have been 8 fatal dog attacks in Washington State, or approximately one death every five years.
At least six (6) different breeds/types of dogs have been involved in the 8 fatalities.
Of the 8 fatal attacks, the victims were: 2 adults and 6 children.
All the child victims were either left alone with a dog or had wandered off to the location of the dog(s).
In 2003, a mother visiting at the home of an "acquaintance" allowed her 3-year-old child to play, unsupervised, in the backyard with 3 unfamiliar dogs. The dogs were 2 intact males and 1 intact female that were reportedly "being kept at the premises as a favor for a friend." Only one of the dogs attacked the boy, the other two dogs, although able, did not participate in the attack.
In spite of the reckless and dangerous ownership practices of some owners and/or parents, dogs still pose an incredibly low risk for causing a fatality:
Fatal Dog Attacks in Washington as Compared to Other Selected Risks:
Snapshot of Washington: 2005
| Persons killed by dogs: | 0 |
| Child hyperthermia death (left in hot car): | 1 |
| Death from contact w/ hornets, bees or wasps: | 1 |
| ATV-related fatalites: | 16 |
| Bicycle-related deaths: | 20 |
| Persons drowned in tub or pool: | 20 |
| Boating fatalities: | 24 |
| Alcohol-related traffic fatalities: | 302 |
| Total traffic fatalities (alcohol & non): | 649 |
| Tobacco-related deaths: | 8,300 |
Furthermore, in 2005, nine (9) children died as a result of neglect or abuse in Washington State.
In a SINGLE YEAR, 2005, more Washington children died as a result of abuse or neglect than the TOTAL of ALL children killed by dog attacks in Washington State over the last 43 years.