Post by RealPitBull on Dec 29, 2008 14:59:54 GMT -5
Commentary: Data, research doesn't justify singling out dog breeds
By Jody Hergert-Andresen • December 28, 2008
It is estimated there are currently 74 million dogs living in the United States. Americans spend billions of dollars every year feeding and caring for their canine companions, and many people think of their dogs as family members. It is not surprising then that issues related to dogs can generate strong feelings.
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Such is the case with the proposed changes to the Oshkosh Municipal Codes regarding the licensing and keeping of American Pit Bull Terriers, mixes and other restricted breeds. While not an outright ban on these breeds, the new codes would require special licensing, handling and confinement for the dogs, with the exception of dogs who pass the American
Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test. While passing the Canine Good Citizen test is an excellent goal for any pet owner, in reality some young dogs lack the self-control to pass, even though their temperament may be excellent.
For the record, I oppose the ordinances. My objections include concerns about actual risk and an analysis of bite data, research results and enforcement issues.
Between 2000 and 2002, a study was conducted in Hanover, Germany to determine whether dogs of specific "dangerous" breeds were in fact more aggressive than dogs of other breeds. Four hundred and fifteen dogs of "dangerous" breeds including Pit Bull Terriers were used in comparison to 415 Golden Retrievers. A total of 95 percent of all of the dogs showed no inappropriate aggressive behavior. No significant difference was found between any of the breeds.
If passed, enforcement of the new ordinances may prove challenging, especially in the case of mixed – breed dogs where, short of DNA testing, it may be difficult to prove that the dog is or is not a specific breed.
Bite data varies but is generally broken into two categories, fatal and non-fatal bites to humans. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, it is estimated that 4.7 million non-fatal bites occur in the U.S. annually resulting in 800,000 people seeking medical care. The highest incidence of bites occurs in boys between the ages of 5 and 9 years of age. Interestingly, 80 to 90 percent of all non-fatal bites are inflicted by a dog that is known to the victim, which contrasts the frequently portrayed picture of the vicious, roaming stray dog. Information is not collected on specific breeds so it is unknown which breeds bite with the highest frequency. Data is not collected on bites from dog to dog, therefore it is also unknown which breeds bite other dogs with the highest frequency.
In her book "Fatal Dog Attacks," Karen Delise reports that between 1965 and 2001, 431 fatal dog attacks involving 36 different breeds have occurred in the U.S. averaging out to 12 per year with 78 percent involving attacks on the owner's property. Twenty one percent of the attacks involved Pit-Bull type dogs, equaling 90 deaths total or 2.5 per year. Surprisingly, other breeds considered more "family-friendly" have also been involved in fatalities including Siberian Huskies (21), St. Bernards (15), Golden Retrievers (4), Labrador Retrievers (4), and even Dachshunds ( 3).
To put this into perspective, last year 43,354 deaths occurred in motor vehicle accidents, 3,842 people died in drowning accidents, 12,000 people died of gunshot wounds and 58 people died being struck by lightning.
I believe that we do need more education on proper training and interacting with dogs, particularly with regards to children. Law enforcement, public health officials and humane officers should be supported in their efforts to keep our community safe by enforcing existing ordinances. Humane societies and rescue groups need to be encouraged to temperament test and only adopt dogs who will be safe family pets. I also believe that individual dogs of any breed with a history of aggression that cannot be rehabilitated should be humanely euthanized.
But if the average person is 28 times more likely to die being struck by lightning than by being attacked by a pit bull, are ordinances that single out specific breeds of dogs justifiable?
Jody Hergert-Andresen, B.A., CDBC owns Pawsitive Directions Canine Behavior and Training, LLC in Oshkosh, WI.
By Jody Hergert-Andresen • December 28, 2008
It is estimated there are currently 74 million dogs living in the United States. Americans spend billions of dollars every year feeding and caring for their canine companions, and many people think of their dogs as family members. It is not surprising then that issues related to dogs can generate strong feelings.
OAS_AD('ArticleFlex _1');
Such is the case with the proposed changes to the Oshkosh Municipal Codes regarding the licensing and keeping of American Pit Bull Terriers, mixes and other restricted breeds. While not an outright ban on these breeds, the new codes would require special licensing, handling and confinement for the dogs, with the exception of dogs who pass the American
Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test. While passing the Canine Good Citizen test is an excellent goal for any pet owner, in reality some young dogs lack the self-control to pass, even though their temperament may be excellent.
For the record, I oppose the ordinances. My objections include concerns about actual risk and an analysis of bite data, research results and enforcement issues.
Between 2000 and 2002, a study was conducted in Hanover, Germany to determine whether dogs of specific "dangerous" breeds were in fact more aggressive than dogs of other breeds. Four hundred and fifteen dogs of "dangerous" breeds including Pit Bull Terriers were used in comparison to 415 Golden Retrievers. A total of 95 percent of all of the dogs showed no inappropriate aggressive behavior. No significant difference was found between any of the breeds.
If passed, enforcement of the new ordinances may prove challenging, especially in the case of mixed – breed dogs where, short of DNA testing, it may be difficult to prove that the dog is or is not a specific breed.
Bite data varies but is generally broken into two categories, fatal and non-fatal bites to humans. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, it is estimated that 4.7 million non-fatal bites occur in the U.S. annually resulting in 800,000 people seeking medical care. The highest incidence of bites occurs in boys between the ages of 5 and 9 years of age. Interestingly, 80 to 90 percent of all non-fatal bites are inflicted by a dog that is known to the victim, which contrasts the frequently portrayed picture of the vicious, roaming stray dog. Information is not collected on specific breeds so it is unknown which breeds bite with the highest frequency. Data is not collected on bites from dog to dog, therefore it is also unknown which breeds bite other dogs with the highest frequency.
In her book "Fatal Dog Attacks," Karen Delise reports that between 1965 and 2001, 431 fatal dog attacks involving 36 different breeds have occurred in the U.S. averaging out to 12 per year with 78 percent involving attacks on the owner's property. Twenty one percent of the attacks involved Pit-Bull type dogs, equaling 90 deaths total or 2.5 per year. Surprisingly, other breeds considered more "family-friendly" have also been involved in fatalities including Siberian Huskies (21), St. Bernards (15), Golden Retrievers (4), Labrador Retrievers (4), and even Dachshunds ( 3).
To put this into perspective, last year 43,354 deaths occurred in motor vehicle accidents, 3,842 people died in drowning accidents, 12,000 people died of gunshot wounds and 58 people died being struck by lightning.
I believe that we do need more education on proper training and interacting with dogs, particularly with regards to children. Law enforcement, public health officials and humane officers should be supported in their efforts to keep our community safe by enforcing existing ordinances. Humane societies and rescue groups need to be encouraged to temperament test and only adopt dogs who will be safe family pets. I also believe that individual dogs of any breed with a history of aggression that cannot be rehabilitated should be humanely euthanized.
But if the average person is 28 times more likely to die being struck by lightning than by being attacked by a pit bull, are ordinances that single out specific breeds of dogs justifiable?
Jody Hergert-Andresen, B.A., CDBC owns Pawsitive Directions Canine Behavior and Training, LLC in Oshkosh, WI.
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