The editor of Animal People, Merritt Clifton, has compiled a study of dog attacks by collecting press accounts of dog bites in the U.S. and Canada from 1982 to 2010. He also compiled a list of dog breeds ranked by the number of deaths they caused during this period and documented the number of dog attack injuries and maimings caused by each breed.
Pit Bull Terrier
Pit bull terriers were responsible for 166 deaths from 1982 to 2010, the highest amount out of the 10 breeds. They caused 1,552 cases of bodily harm and 859 maimings.
Rottweiler
The second dog breed on this list caused less than half the number of deaths caused by pit bulls with 73 deaths, which is still a significant number. Rottweilers were responsible for 457 cases of bodily harm and 246 maimings.
Husky
Husky dogs were responsible for a total of 21 deaths, 56 cases of bodily harm, and 14 maimings during the research period. Huskies can be very protective, which may explain some of these attacks.
Wolf Hybrids
Wolf hybrids seem like an attractive option because of their appearance and features. Unfortunately, these hybrids may retain some of the characteristics of wolves, which means they may attack children and adults. Wolf hybrids were responsible for 19 deaths, 46 maimings and 82 cases of bodily harm during this study.
Bullmastiff
Bullmastiffs love to act as guard dogs, often inspecting guests by blocking the door and investigating them before they enter the house. This guard dog mentality may be responsible for some of the attacks perpetrated by this breed during the study. Bullmastiffs were responsible for 9 deaths, 31 maimings and 58 cases of bodily harm.
When a dog attacks you or a loved one, the attack can lead to serious injuries, disfigurement, or even death. If you or a family member suffered a dog bite attack in someone else’s home or place of business, the Arizona dog bite attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. will work hard to help you recover money for your medical expenses and any needed rehabilitation services. For a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, call us at (602) 457-6222.
