Wisconsin
Are Dogs A Real Danger?
A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report
Over the past 43 years (1965 - present) there have been 14 fatal dog attacks in Wisconsin, or approximately one (1) fatal attack every three years.
At least nine (9) different breeds/types of dogs were involved in the 14 fatal attacks in Wisconsin.
Due to the fact that a number of Wisconsin cities and communities (including Milwaukee) have enacted breed specific legislation restricting or banning Pit bulls and pit bull-type dogs, the NCRC is compelled to comment that of the 14 fatal attacks in Wisconsin, none involved a Pit bull or pit-bull-type dog.
The victims were: 4 adults and 10 children.
Half (n=5) of the children killed by dogs were infants (< 7 months old) which were left unsupervised with unfamiliar dogs.
The U.S. Census Bureau shows the human population in Wisconsin has increased by over 1 million from 1970 to 2006. In spite of the increase in both the human and dog populations in Wisconsin over the last 4 decades, fatal dog attacks have decreased.
- From 1965-1985 there were 8 fatal dog attacks in Wisconsin
- From 1986-2007 there were 6 fatal dog attacks in Wisconsin
A significant number of the fatal dog attacks in Wisconsin involved reckless and/or dangerous behaviors by owners:
In 1965, a Baraboo woman was attacked twice by her own dog. The second attack was so severe she was hospitalized and required over 400 stitches. She refused to have the dog euthanized and 3 weeks after her discharge from the hospital the dog attacked her for the third time, causing her death.
In 2002, W. Hardy and S. McCracken allowed their daughter and a 10-year-old neighbor girl, Alicia, to be alone in their feces-filled, filth-ridden house with their six dogs (two adult dogs and 4 subadults). The dogs attacked and killed Alicia after one of the subadult dogs yelped. The owners were breeding the dogs and there were previous complaints of alleged abuse towards the animals. The owners were convicted of recklessly causing harm to a child and child neglect. W. Hardy received a 2-year-sentence and S. McCracken received an 18-month sentence.
In 2002, a man was found dead in his home from dog bites inflicted by a dog he had adopted two months earlier. It was later determined that extreme provocation and abuse either contributed or directly caused this dog to attack.
In spite of the reckless, abusive and dangerous behaviors of some dog owners, dog still pose an incredibly low risk for causing an fatality:
Fatal Dog Attacks in Wisconsin as Compared to Other Selected Risks:
Snapshot of Wisconsin: Year: 2005
| Persons killed by dogs: | 0 |
| Child death from being left in hot car: | 1 |
| Fatal hunting accidents: | 3 |
| Death from contact w/ hornets, bees, wasps: | 4 |
| Persons drowned in tub or swimming pool: | 8 |
| Bicycle-related fatalities: | 20 |
| ATV-related fatalities: | 54 |
| Alcohol-related traffic fatalities: | 380 |
| Total traffic fatalities (alcohol & non-alcohol): | 815 |
| Tobacco-related deaths: | 7,215 |
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
In 2005, thirteen (13) children died from maltreatment in Wisconsin.
In a SINGLE YEAR, 2005, more children in Wisconsin died from maltreatment (abuse/neglect) than the TOTAL of ALL children killed by dog attacks in Wisconsin over the past 43 years.
So, are dogs dangerous? Fact is, people in Wisconsin routinely accept far greater risks from ATVs, bicycles and swimming pools than any that are associated with companion animals.
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