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Alaska

Are Dogs A Real Danger

A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report

Over the past 43 years (1965 - present) there have been 31 fatal dog attacks in Alaska, or approximately one (1) fatality every 1 to 2 years.

At least eight (8) different breeds/types of dogs* have been identified as participating in a fatal attack in Alaska.

* Note: Four (4) of the cases of fatal attacks involved dogs reported to be a Wolf dog. [This is noted due to the fact that Wolf dogs are not a domestic dog, and arguably should not be grouped alongside domestic dogs in statistics on fatal attacks without an acknowledgement to the wolf, (i.e., "wild") component of the animal's make-up.]

All the victims were children between the ages of 1 month to 6 years old.

The vast majority (70%) of the cases involved young, unsupervised children that wandered over to a chained dog or wandered into dog lots (areas where a pack of sled dogs were kept tethered in a small area).

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

Fatal dog attacks in Alaska have decreased dramatically in the past decade:

In addition to the potenial danger of allowing young, unsupervised children to approach a single chained dog or enter into a dog lot where a pack of dogs are tethered, one parent directly placed their child in a dangerous situation:

In 1990, a mother took her 28-day-old infant into a kennel where a pregnant Wolf dog was in labor. She placed the infant  near the Wolf dog's head and the distressed animal reacted by attacking and killing the infant.

In spite of the negligent and reckless behavior of some dog owners and/or parents, dogs still pose an incredibly low risk for causing a fatality:

Fatal Dog Attacks in Alaska Compared to Other Selected Risks:

Snapshot of Alaska:                             Year 2005

Persons killed by dogs:        0
Child maltreatment deaths (abuse / neglect):        3
Bicycle-related fatalities:        4
ATV-related deaths:       19
Fatal boating accidents:       25
Alcohol-related traffic fatalities:       37
Total traffic fatalities (alcohol & non):       73
Tobacco-related deaths:  >  500

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

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