Hero Dog: Simon, Oregon Humane Society Award Winner

Simon, 2010 winner of the Oregon Humane Society Hero Award, is endearingly nicknamed "The Cowardly Lion" because he can be startled by the most harmless things. But when disaster struck, Simon overcame his  fears to save the life of another. Simon saved his human companion when a fire had broken out in a kitchen, filling the room with smoke. Both escaped the house without injury.

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Above and beyond their place as family companions and in traditional service occupations, dogs in Oregon serve in an ever-widening spectrum of therapeutic roles. The physical and emotional benefits to humans that come from relationships with dogs are now recognized and utilized by psychiatric facilities, assisted living centers, hospitals, schools . . . even prisons.

Today, dogs contribute more to the welfare of individuals and society than perhaps any other time in the history of the human-dog bond. Additionally, over the past three decades, increased awareness of the importance of humane care and control of dogs, the enactment and enforcement of leash laws, and dog bite prevention education, have all been instrumental in lowering the number of reported dog-related injuries nationwide.

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American Kennel Club Awards for Canine Excellence 2008 Recipie

Zadok, an Akita owned by Julie Burk of Damascus, Oregon

Zadok, a 6-year-old Akita, has brought comfort to those in need, not just while visiting hospitals, children's healthcare facilities, and prison inmates, but also in high-profile crisis situations. Julie Burk acquired Zadok at 8 weeks old and used the confidence building socialization acquired through AKC Obedience and Agility training to prepare him for therapy work. Zadok is certified with Delta Society, Dove Lewis, PAWS, and the National Animal Assisted Crisis Response.

The pair were called upon to visit Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University to console students after their tragic school shootings. Gale Lothrop, Vice President of the National Animal Assisted Crisis Response, explained in her ACE nomination for Zadok, that students responded to dogs more often than to the hundreds of volunteer counselors. Zadok provided the unconditional love and safety that allowed the traumatized students to express their pain.

Recently, Zadok's special healing powers were called upon once again, this time at a summer camp for children whose parents were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to therapy work, Zadok is active in his role as a breed ambassador for the Akita Club of America. Zadok and Julie are also tireless fundraisers for Akita rescue. Whether helping prospective owners to appreciate this wonderful breed, or by bringing comfort to those in need, Zadok's calm demeanor and obedient nature always guarantee success.

National Canine Research Council

What is a dog bite?

While the question seems simple enough, the answer is often not what we imagine.

Over the past 3 decades, increased awareness of the importance of humane care and control of dogs, the enactment and enforcement of leash laws, and dog bite prevention education, have all been instrumental in lowering the number of reported dog-related injuries nationwide.

National Canine Research Council

Over the past 45 years (1965 - present) there have been six (6) dog bite-related fatalities in Oregon, an average of one (1) fatality every 7-8 years.

NCRC's 2010 Preliminary Report on Dog Bite-Related Fatalities illustrates the challenge of accurately reporting on these extremely rare, tragic events. Our mission of preserving the human-canine bond obligates us to be as accurate about these emotionally charged incidents as we can, so that they are calmly, correctly and, therefore, usefully understood. Accuracy takes time.

At least five (5) different breeds/types of dogs were reported to be involved in these incidents.*

All six victims were children.

Two victims were infants left unattended with an unfamiliar dog.

The other three cases involved unsupervised children and chained dogs. In two instances, young boys were attempting to interact with chained dogs. In the third, a small girl fell off a porch and into the perimeter of a chained guard dog.

None of the dogs involved in these incidents had been spayed or neutered by their owners.

Dog bite-related fatalities are exceedingly rare in Oregon, and despite the significant increase in the dog and human population, there has been no increase in the number of fatalities over the previous 3 decades:

Dog bite-related fatalities in Oregon:

1977: Unattended infant killed by dog

1978: Unattended infant killed by dog

1985: 4-year-old girl killed by chained dog

1986: 5-year-old boy killed by chained dog

1999: 8-year-old boy killed by chained dog

2010: 5-year-old girl killed by dog that escaped kennel

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*Note: In recent years, scientists have established that visual identification of dogs of unknown origin is extremely unreliable; therefore, while we can be sure these listed incidents involved varied types of dogs, we cannot be certain of the accuracy of most breed identifications.  

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

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

In 2007, twelve (12) Oregon children died as the result of maltreatment (abuse, neglect).

In the single year 2007, twice as many Oregon children died from maltreatment as the total of all children killed by dogs in the state over the past 45 years.

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Fact is, people in Oregon routinely accept far greater risks from ATVs, bicycles and swimming pools than any that are associated with companion animals.

National Canine Research Council