National Canine Research Council
Fear vs. Fact
Fear: Dogs (and some breeds in particular) have become a serious threat to public safety.
Fact: Dogs contribute more to the welfare of humans today than perhaps any other time in the history of the human-dog bond. Dogs, of all breeds, have been elevated far beyond their historic functions of hunting, protection and warfare and now serve as guide dogs, assistance dogs, therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, and for the detection of dangerous or illegal items.
Society now recognizes that the dog’s unique ability to interact and bond with humans can help children who have been victimized by sexual and violent crimes. The unconditional acceptance and comfort of dogs is also used to help adults who suffer from panic disorders, post traumatic stress, agoraphobia, depression and sleep disorders.
Tens of millions of dogs also provide emotional and physical benefits to individuals who cherish them and consider them an integral part of their lives.
Fear: Dogs are biting more frequently than in previous decades.
Fact: Despite a significant increase in both the human and dog population over the past decades, the truth of the matter is that dog bites and attacks are at historic lows.
The New York City Department of Health reports that dog bites in the city have been reduced from over 37,000 in 1971 to less than 4,000 in 2005. Other cities across the nation record similar stunning decreases in the number of dog bites over the past 35 years: Baltimore, 6,809 reported dogs bites in 1971, reduced to 582 in 2005; Philadelphia, 8,524 in 1971, down to 1,520 in 2000; and Washington D.C. with 3,351 reported bites in 1971 down to an astonishing low of 183 reported bites in 2006.
Fear: Dogs (and some breeds in particular) are inflicting more severe injuries than in previous decades.
Fact: While minor injuries from dog bites are not uncommon, less than 5% of all reported dog bites can be classified as "severe" (i.e., requiring stitches, surgery and/or hospitalization). The percentage of bites classified as severe has remained constant over the past 40 years, regardless of the increasing or decreasing popularity of certain breeds of dogs.*
Fear vs. Fact: Dogs in the District of Columbia
Fear:
I am in danger of being killed by a dog in the District of Columbia.
Fact:
There have been no fatal dog attacks in the District of Columbia within the past 42 years (1965-2007).
Fear:
We have a dog bite epidemic in the District of Columbia.
Fact:
In 1970, there were 3351 dog bites reported in the District.
In 2007 there were 183.
Fear:
Dogs are causing more serious injuries than ever.
Fact:
Only ten (10) of the one hundred eighty-three (183) bites reported in 2007 were classified as severe.
Fear:
Pit Bulls are responsible for the severe injuries in the District.
Fact:
The ten (10) severe bites mentioned above were inflicted by nine (9) different breeds of dog.
Fact:
We are in far more danger from bicycles, swimming pools . . . and each other . . . than we are from dogs.
* References:
"The Animal Bite Epidemic in
"Unreported Dog Bites in Children." Beck, A., Jones, B., Public Health Reports, May-June 1985, Vol. 100, No.3.
“The Ecology of Dog Bite Injury in