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Indiana

Are Dogs A Real Danger?

A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report

Over the past 43 years (1965 - present) there have been ten (10) fatal dog attacks in Indiana, or approximately one (1) fatality every four (4) years.

At least 12 different breeds/types of dogs have been identified as participating in a fatal attack in Indiana.  (Breed number is larger than number of attacks because three fatalities involved multiple different breeds).

The victims were:  4 adults and 6 children.

Only one of the fatalities in Indiana involved dogs that had been spayed or neutered. All other fatal attacks in Indiana were by intact dogs.

A number of cases of fatal dog attacks in Indiana resulted in criminal convictions for the owners, with sentences ranging from 3 months house arrest to 4 years in prison:

In 2000, W. Newton and J. Latvaitis were found guilty of criminal recklessness after their large pack of dogs killed a Census bureau worker.

In 2005, A. Warren and A. Warren both pled guilty to failing to restrain a dog resulting in death after their four dogs escaped their yard and mauled to death their elderly neighbor.

In spite of the reckless and negligent ownership practices of some dog owners, dogs still pose an incredibly low risk for causing a fatality:

Fatal Dog Attacks in Indiana as Compared to Other Selected Risks:

Snapshot of Indiana:                                      Year  2005

Persons killed by dogs:           2
Persons drowned in bathtub or swimming pool:           9
Bicycle-related fatalities:         11
ATV-related fatalities:         14
Farm-work related fatalities:         16
Alcohol related traffic fatalities:        325
Total traffic fatalities (alcohol & non):        938
Tobacco-related deaths:     9,800
 

Furthermore, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

In 2005, twenty-nine (29) Indiana children died as the result of maltreatment (abuse or neglect).

In a SINGLE YEAR, more than FOUR TIMES as many Indiana children died from maltreatment (abuse/neglect) than the TOTAL of ALL children killed by dog attacks in Indiana over the past 43 years.

So, are dogs a danger?  Fact is, people in Indiana routinely accept far greater risks from ATVs, bicycles, and swimming pools than any that are associated with companion animals.

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