Pardon my ignorance but yes, please provide me the stats that you are basing your side of the debate on. It would help me understand your thinking and possibly some insight on how to respond.
This took all of 5 seconds. This sort of thing is all over the place.
The most deadly dog breeds in America: pit bull terriers (http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-faq.php) and rottweilers. Research from DogsBite.org (http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-fatalities-2011.php) shows that during the 7-year period from 2005 to 2011, these two breeds accounted for 74% of the total recorded fatal attacks.1 By compiling U.S. and Canadian press accounts between 1982 and 2011, a report by Animal People (http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-study-dog-attacks-and-maimings-merritt-clifton.php) shows that pit bulls (215) and rottweilers (81) and their mixes accounted for 64% of the total recorded fatal attacks (466).2
It is important to point out that fatal dog attacks committed by pit bulls and their mixes more than doubles the attacks inflicted by rottweilers. It is well documented by experts (http://www.scribd.com/doc/7775401/Excerpts-Dog-Bite-Prevention-for-Law-Enforcement-and-Other-First-Responders-by-Randall-Lockwood)3 and humane groups (http://www.scribd.com/doc/14396422/ASPCA-Guide-to-Handling-Pit-Bulls-in-Shelter-Environments)4 that pit bulls pose a substantial danger due to their selective breeding for dogfighting. Unlike other dog breeds, pit bulls frequently fail to communicate intention prior to an attack (surprise attacks (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2008/08/top-dog-behavior-experts-fooled-by-pit.html)); possess a lethal bite style (hold and shake (http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-faq.php#bitestyle)) and a ruinous manner of attack (gameness (http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-faq.php#dogfighting)).
Additional materials:
Pit Bull FAQ (http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-faq.php) - Learn about pit bulls and why they are so dangerous.
Pit Bull Myths (http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-myths.php) - Learn the truth behind the many pit bull myths.
Pit Bull Owners (http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-owners.php) - Learn about the types of people who own pit bulls.
Fighting dog breeds
Though much less common than pit bulls, other fighting breeds pose a significant threat to public safety as well. Aurora, Colorado, for instance, currently bans pit bulls and formerly banned5 the following fighting breeds: dogo argentino, presa canario,6 cane corso, tosa inu, fila brasileiro and presa mallorquin. Each of these breeds is either a pit bull derivative or was derived from ancestors similar to pit bull ancestors. Countries, such as Spain (http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fnoticias.juridicas.com%2Fbase_datos %2FAdmin%2Frd287-2002.html&sl=es&tl=en) and New Zealand (http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Resource-material-Dog-Control-Key-Facts?OpenDocument#six), regulate these breeds.
http://www.dogsbite.org/img/dd-dogo-argentino.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogo_Argentino)http://www.dogsbite.org/img/dd-presa-canario.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perro_de_Presa_Canario)http://www.dogsbite.org/img/dd-cane-corso.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cane_Corso)http://www.dogsbite.org/img/dd-tosa-inu.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tosa_%28dog%29)Dogo argentinoPresa canarioCane corsoTosa inu
Wolf hybrids (canid hybrid)
Many U.S. states regulate the breeding and ownership (http://www.adn.com/2011/06/18/1923957/three-charged-with-illegal-possession.html) of wolf hybrids, a canid hybrid resulting from the mating of a wolf and a dog. This crossbreed also has a deadly track record. According to the same report by Animal People (http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-study-dog-attacks-and-maimings-merritt-clifton.php), wolf hybrids accounted for 19 deaths between 1982 and 2010. The death count may much be higher too; owners of wolf hybrids often mislabel their dogs as a husky or malamute-mix to evade detection, as was attempted after the death of Kyle Holland (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2011/06/justice-for-lincoln-park-fatal-dog.html).
http://www.dogsbite.org/img/dd-wolf-hybrid-1.jpghttp://www.dogsbite.org/img/dd-wolf-hybrid-2.jpghttp://www.dogsbite.org/img/dd-wolf-hybrid-0.jpghttp://www.dogsbite.org/img/dd-wolf-hybrid-4.jpgWolf hybridWolf hybridWolf hybridWolf hybrid
Dangerous scenarios
One of the most dangerous scenarios involving pit bulls and other high-risk dog breeds is often unaddressed in media stories after serious and fatal dog attacks. The scenario entails bringing a child into the home of a friend or relative who owns a pit bull or rottweiler. The reverse scenario -- inviting the owner of one of these dog breeds into a home with a child -- is just as dangerous. Three factors are at stake in these cases: 1.) Breed of dog 2.) "new" situations and 3.) children.
DogsBite.org cannot underscore the volume of serious dog attacks, some of which are fatal, that occur when a child is "visiting" the home of a pit bull or rottweiler owner (See: Natalyee Murphy (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2009/09/3-year-old-girl-airlifted-after.html), Dallas Lee Walters (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2009/12/2009-fatality-aunts-rottwieler-kills-20.html) and Izaiah Gregory Cox (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2009/03/2009-fatality-boy-killed-by-pit-bulls.html)). Under no circumstances should a person agree to take care of a friend or relative's recognized dangerous dog breed if there are children in the home or may be visiting the home either. (See: James Dowling (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2011/08/2011-fatality-4-year-old-western.html), Colton Smith (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2009/10/2009-fatality-17-month-old-boy-mauled.html) and Salvador Cotto (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2011/06/2011-fatality-chesterfield-county-baby.html)).
The risk to the child is too great.
Additional materials:
Staying Safe (http://www.dogsbite.org/staying-safe-from-dangerous-dogs.php) - Learn about the most dangerous situations.
Victim Funds (http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-victim-funds.php) - Learn about survivors of serious dog attacks.
Say No Firmly (http://javascript<b></b>:bozo=window.open('pop-just-say-no.htm',%20'DogsBite',%20'width=450,height=450,sta tus=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbar s=yes');window.bozo.focus();) - Learn to say no to owners of dangerous dog breeds.
Reporting a dangerous dog
Many people are unaware that one does not have to wait for a "bite" to report a threatening (menacing), loose or stray dog. Many attacks occur due to this lack of understanding. Always report problem dogs to your city or county animal control or Sheriff's department. If that dog ends up biting and seriously hurting a person, but there is no documented paper trail behind it, authorities will have their hands tied and the victim may have no recourse for medical expenses.
If the dog owner lives on a rental property, it is beneficial to send a certified letter asking the landlord to ensure that proper containment infrastructure is installed and that the dog is declared on the renter's insurance policy. This act normally places the landlord into the "liability equation" and motivates him to take care of the situation. Cell phone photographs and video of the dog's behavior can be sent as supporting evidence to show that an attack situation is imminent.
When reporting a dog bite (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2012/02/what-happens-when-victim-does-not.html) -- defined as a "breaking of the skin" -- anticipate its owner to plead with you not to. Many dog owners do not want a "first bite" on record and may offer you a "home nurse" solution. Do not accept a home nurse solution (http://javascript<b></b>:bozo=window.open('pop-no-home-treatment.htm',%20'DogsBite',%20'width=450,height= 450,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,sc rollbars=yes');window.bozo.focus();). Proceed to a hospital, tell the doctor you have a dog bite, which should trigger a formal bite report (what the dog owner hoped to avoid), and receive dog bite medical treatment, otherwise you could die (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2009/03/2009-fatality-80-year-old-woman-dies.html) or develop serious complications.
In many places it is also a misdemeanor crime to not report a dog bite.
Additional materials:
Dog Bite Victim Guide (http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-victim-guide.php) - Steps to take following a dog bite.
Rabies Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html) - What is rabies and how is it treated?
10-Day Quarantine (http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/diagnosis/animals-humans.html) - Why must a dog be quarantined after a bite?
Stopping a dangerous dog
Many U.S. courts have declared pit bulls as "lethal weapons." Police officers have the right to shoot and kill pit bulls when under threat or when protecting citizens. Examples of police officers shooting dangerous pit bulls are so common that DogsBite.org began tracking these instances in 2008. In a recent 11-year report (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2008/04/11-years-of-police-gunfire-pit-bulls.html) released by the New York Police Department, the data showed that when dangerous dogs are shot 72% were pit bulls followed by rottweilers with 10%.7
The inability for the average person, much less a child (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2011/01/2011-fatality-two-pit-bulls-kill-5-year.html), pregnant woman (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2011/08/2011-fatality-pregnant-pacifica-woman.html) or senior citizen (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2011/06/hawthorn-man-suffers-arm-amputation-and.html), to stop an attacking pit bull may be the single most powerful reason why pit bulls must be regulated. In 2009, Chicago police officers were forced to shoot an aggressive pit bull (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2009/03/10-shots-stop-pit-bull-attack-on.html) 10 times to stop the dog's assault. Prior to being shot to death, the animal attacked a pregnant woman hospitalizing her.8 This incident clearly illustrates the undeniable public safety threat that pit bulls present.
Additional materials:
Report: U.S. Police and Citizen Shootings of Pit Bulls 2008 (http://www.dogsbite.org/dogsbite-newsroom-2009-us-police-citizen-shootings-of-pit-bulls.php)
Mid Year Results: U.S. Police and Citizen Shootings of Pit Bulls 2009 (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2009/08/mid-year-results-us-police-and-citizen.html)
11 Years of Police Gunfire: Pit Bulls Top the Charts (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2008/04/11-years-of-police-gunfire-pit-bulls.html)
Legislating dangerous dogs
Over 650 U.S. cities (http://www.scribd.com/doc/56495216/Estimated-U-S-Cities-Counties-and-Military-Facilities-with-Breed-Specific-Pit-Bull-Laws), the U.S. Marine Corps (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2009/09/us-marine-corps-bans-pit-bulls-and.html), U.S. Army (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2009/03/us-army-bans-pit-bulls-and-other-breeds.html) and New York Housing Authority (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2009/04/nyc-housing-authorities-ban-pit-bulls.html) have adopted policies that target pit bulls and several other dog breeds due to the unreasonable risk posed by them. Such policies are designed to prevent an attack before it occurs, as there is never enough insurance funds to put these severely injured victims "back together" after an attack. (Top former U.S. enforcer of pit bull laws, Tom Skeldon, explains this clearly in an online interview (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2010/02/tom-skeldon-baised-blade-and-recent.html).)
Additional materials:
Legislating Dogs (http://www.dogsbite.org/legislating-dangerous-dogs.php) - Learn how U.S. cities are regulating dangerous dog breeds.
Military Laws (http://www.dogsbite.org/legislating-dangerous-dogs-military-bases.php) - View the many bases that regulate dangerous dog breeds.
BSL State-by-State (http://www.dogsbite.org/legislating-dangerous-dogs-state-by-state.php) - Learn the cities in your state with breed-specific laws.
DogsBite.org is a large resource
The dangerous dog breed issue is both deep and wide. It is also a worldwide problem (http://blog.dogsbite.org/2009/02/ecuador-joins-world-trend-bans-pit.html) and not unique to the U.S. The composition of DogsBite.org -- over 2,000 web pages -- reflects this. We encourage viewers to read the Special Reports, located in the top right column, "Must Read" blog posts (http://www.dogsbite.org/blog-posts-must-read.php) and most recent stats (http://www.dogsbite.org/dogsbite-recent-dog-bite-statistics.php) and to spend time in the victim realities (http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-victim-realities.php) section. Watch the victims tell their stories in videos (http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-victim-videos.php), view the medical funds (http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-victim-funds.php) that we are tracking and read the victim voices (http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-victim-voices.php).
2011 U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Statistics - DogsBite.org (http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-fatalities-2011.php), DogsBite.org, January 4, 2012.
Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada, September 1982 to December 26, 2011 (http://www.dogsbite.org/pdf/dog-attack-deaths-maimings-merritt-clifton-2011.pdf), by Merritt Clifton, Animal People, December, 26, 2011.
<A class=footnotelink href="http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DEG905">Dog Bite Prevention for Law Enforcement and Other First Responders, by Randall Lockwood, PhD, Tawzer Dog Videos, 2004 (View partial transcript (http://www.scribd.com/doc/7775401/Excerpts-Dog-Bite-Prevention-for-Law-Enforcement-and-Other-First-Responders-by-Randall-Lockwood)).
The Care of Pit Bulls in the Shelter Environment (http://www.scribd.com/doc/14396422/ASPCA-Guide-to-Handling-Pit-Bulls-in-Shelter-Environments), by Leslie D. Appel DVM, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), ShelterMedicine.com, 2005.
In March 2011, Aurora began discussions about narrowing its Fighting Breed ban (http://www.dogsbite.org/pdf/aurora-pit-bull-ordinance-announcement.pdf) to only pit bulls. This is likely because the other fighting breeds have such low population numbers.
The presa canario breed made headlines after savagely killing Diane Whipple in 2001 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Whipple).
11 Years of Police Gunfire, in Painstaking Detail (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/nyregion/08nypd.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=11+years+police+gunfire&st=nyt), by Al Baker, The New York Times, May 8, 2008.
Dog killed after attack on couple (http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6705910&rss=rss-wls-article-6705910), Chicago New - abc7chicago.com, March 12, 2009.
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In the 3-year period of 2006 to 2008, 18% of all fatal dog attacks occurred off owner property. Pit bulls were responsible for 81% of these attacks. Report: U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities January 2006 to December 2008 by DogsBite.org, 2010
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I was kicking one pit bull so hard that all four of its feet were in the air, but it still wouldn't let go. Andrew Diodati
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Maul Talk Manual: (http://maultalk.wordpress.com/) A guide to understanding the language of pit bull owners and advocates.
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