Kansas

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Are Dogs A Real Danger?

A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report

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Over the past 43 years (1965 - present) there have been eleven (11) fatal dog attacks in Kansas, or approximately one (1) fatalilty every 3 to 4 years.

At least eight (8) different breeds/types of dogs have been identified as participating in a fatal attack in Kansas.

The victims were: 2 adults and 9 children.

A significant number of fatal  dog attacks in Kansas involved reckless, dangerous and/or criminal behavior on the part of dog oweners:

In 1983, 19-year-old D. Reynolds was convicted of involuntary manslaughter after his two aggressively trained dogs attacked and killed his elderly neighbor. He received a 2 to 5 year prison sentence. (Harper)

Kansas has the distinction of being the first state to convict a dog owner for murder after her dogs were permitted to be dangerously out of control:

In 1997, S. Davidson was convicted of murder after her three aggressively encouraged dogs escaped their yard and killed an 11-year-old boy at a school bus stop. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison. (Geary)

In 2006, D. Lee was charged and later convicted of involuntary manslaughter after his dog attacked and killed his elderly neighbor in Kansas City. He was sentenced to 4 years in prison and 2 years probation.

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

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

Snapshot of Kansas:                                  Year  2005

Persons killed by dogs:	0
Death after contact w/ hornets, bees or wasps:	1
Bicycle-related fatalities:	4
Child abuse deaths:	6
Persons drowned in tub or swimming pool:	10
ATV-related fatalities:	22
Alcohol-related traffic fatalities:	142
Total traffic fatalities (alcohol & non):	428
Tobacco-related fatalities:	> 3,900

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