Are There Dangerous Breeds of Dogs?

Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer - Rise in Pit bull FatalitiesThere is a great debate about whether certain dogs are more dangerous by breed.  A pit bull lover will tell you that no dog is dangerous unless it is trained to be dangerous.  A victim of a pit bull attack will tell you that pit bulls are vicious by nature and should not be kept as pets.  The truth is all dogs can be dangerous.

Unfortunately for the pit bull lovers out there, it is undeniable that pit bulls contribute to the majority of dog bite related fatalities.  According to a dogsbite.org study from 2013, there were 32 U.S. dog bite fatalities and pit bulls contributed to 78% of them.  Interestingly, pit bulls only make up for 6% of the dog population in the U.S.   There are also other dangerous breeds; Rottweilers, killed 33 people from 2005-2013 and in 2013, the combination of Pit Bulls, Rottweiler and Bull Mastiffs accounted for 88% of all dog related fatalities.

Another breed of dog that has dangerous propensities is the Chow.  The Chow was bred in China as a hunting dog.  This dog breed is the most primitive breed descending from the Wolf.  The deep set eyes of the Chow make these dogs very easy to startle or irritate unintentionally.  This breed can be very dangerous.

Now that we have covered dangerous dogs, it is important to consider other dog related injuries.  Most people don’t realize how dangerous it is to have a dog off leash.  Even an 8 pound Yorkie can get underfoot and cause someone to fall and get hurt.  In many cases, a dog breaks loose from its owner and then excites another dog who is being walked by its owner causing a fall which can result in serious injury.

With summer on it’s way here, it is important to remember that many dog owners will be taking their dogs out more frequently.  Be cautious with young children.  Young children should be taught that it is dangerous to approach an unfamiliar dog.  Some dogs do not respond well to strangers or little hands waving around them.  The best approach is to keep a safe distance from unfamiliar dogs.  Also, if you have neighbors that often let their dogs off leash, you can report them to animal control.  When there are people unfamiliar to the dog nearby, having the dog off-leash is dangerous.

In summary, all dogs can be dangerous but some are more dangerous than others.  Make sure you are always aware of your surroundings and be safe this summer!

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