District of Columbia
Are Dogs A Real Danger?
A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report
There is a popular and political perception that dog bites are increasing in frequency and severity in the District of Columbia. Critics allege that Pit Bulls have unique abilities that increase the probability of severe injuries during an attack—that Pit bulls “do more damage" than other dogs.
An analysis of 40 years of bite statistics, in combination with detailed evaluation of 100 years of incidents, reveals that the presence or absence of Pit Bulls in the dog population has not changed the frequency or level of injuries in cases of severe canine aggression against humans.
THERE HAVE BEEN NO FATAL DOG ATTACKS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WITHIN THE PAST 43 YEARS (1965-2007).
While minor dog bites have always been rather common, severe attacks by dogs are highly unusual. Nationally, only about five to ten percent (5 -10%) of all reported dog bites are classified as “severe” (i.e., requiring stitches, surgery or hospitalization).
The latest data from the District of Columbia’s Health Department indicate that D.C. bite statistics are comparable to the national average. In 2007, only 5% of all bites reported in the District were classified as severe. Further, the frequency of severe injuries and the type or severity of injuries from dog attacks has remained consistent with national averages over the last century, regardless of the popularity or prevalence of specific breeds in the dog population.
Examples of severe injuries caused by dogs in the District of Columbia over the past century:
• 1890: A small boy was bitten in the throat by a Bloodhound.
• 1897: A small girl was gravely injured by a large sheepdog.
• 1904: An 11-year-old boy was “terribly injured” by his neighbor’s St. Bernard.
• 1906: A Collie was shot by police after severely injuring two boys on the street.
• 1912: A 4-year-old boy was “saved from being killed” by a Great Dane after several men beat the dog off the boy.
• 1922: A 3-year-old girl was severely injured by a “mother dog with a litter of puppies.”
• 1943: An elderly woman was severely injured by a mongrel dog.
• 1948: On June 4th parents were urged by the Health Department to caution children not to pet unfamiliar dogs after 82 people where attacked and bitten by dogs the previous week.
• 1967: Two boys were attacked by three loose roaming German Shepherd dogs on a Takoma playground. One boy was critically injured after his skull was fractured by bites to his head.
• 1975: On May 25th, The Washington Post reported that “Poor Owner Control Blamed for Increase in Dog Bites” after it was revealed that dogs bites doubled in D.C. from 1,746 in 1969 to 3,351 in 1970. Officials speculated that after the 1968 riots more people acquired dogs for guarding and protection.
Washington D.C. has experienced a significant decrease in the number of dog bites over the past 4 decades:
1969: Reported Dog Bites: 1,746
1970: Reported Dog Bites: 3,351
2007: Reported Dog Bites: 183 (Oct. 2006 - Sept. 2007)
According to the D.C. Department of Health, of the one hundred and eighty-three (183) bites recorded in 2007, only ten (10) were classified as severe.
These ten (10) bites were inflicted by nine (9) different breeds of dogs.