In 2006, a total of 22 people were killed by dogs in the United States. By 2009, that figure had increased by 50 percent, to a shocking total of 33 people who lost their lives to “pets” who turned violent, often without any advance warning whatever. In recent years, the numbers have grown to an even more alarming level, and it is now estimated that an American is bitten by a dog every 75 seconds.
The Statistics are Shocking
Other statistics relating to dog attacks are equally as worrying. These figures show that:
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More than half (55 percent) of all people killed in dog bite fatalities were under the age of 18.
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Pit bull-type dogs are responsible for more than five times as many fatal dog attacks as the next most dangerous breed, accounting for 67 percent of all fatalities.
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Between 1979 and 1998, 25 different breeds of dog were involved in a total of 238 fatal dog attacks.
So which are the most dangerous breeds of dog, those most likely to launch a deadly attack against an innocent, unsuspecting victim? Sacramento dog bite lawyers have noted that, as well as pit bull terriers, there are nine other breeds that have earned a reputation as potential killers.
Some of the breeds on the list may come as a surprise, but the fact is, all dogs can turn vicious under the right circumstances, and people need to take care around all dogs. Parents need to be especially vigilant when babies, toddlers and small children are in the same area as any dog, even one they have known for years.
For now, here are the ten breeds which are statistically the most likely to maim and kill their prey, starting at Number One:
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Pit bulls – As already mentioned, even though this dog is nowhere near the largest on the list of likely killers, they are by far and away the most dangerous. They are without question utterly fearless, and the strength in their jaws mean that once they lock onto an adversary, be it human or animal, their intention is not to let go until its victim is dead.
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Rottweilers – This is the largest breed in the top 10. With an average weight of up to 130 pounds, incredibly intense territorial instincts and innate aggression as part of its genetic make-up, this dog is potentially lethal at any time. Their size and strength mean they can kill even large prey very quickly, once they decide to attack.
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German Shepherds – In Germany and the rest of Europe, these dogs are called “Alsatians,” but in California, the German Shepherd is the most common K-9 used by American police forces, and for good reason. They are smart, strong and utterly fearless, and can be trained to attack on command. They make excellent watch dogs, but in the wrong circumstances, their size, speed and strength are a lethal combination that can lead to an innocent life being taken.
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Huskies – A surprise entry on the list to many people, Huskies only weigh in at between 44 and 66 pounds. They’re also highly intelligent and seldom used as a guard dog. How can they rank fourth in this fearsome list of potential killers? The answer lies in the surprising fact that, between 1979 and 1997, Huskies killed 15 people in the United States.
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Alaskan Malamutes – This is another breed not too familiar to most people, and certainly one that is never seen in modern day gangster movies as the preferred sidekick to thugs and drug dealers. Again, however, the perceptions don’t match up with the statistics. This dog grows to a weight of up to 100 pounds, and if their owners don’t see to it that they get a lot of exercise, Malamutes can become bored, disobedient and bad-tempered.
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Doberman Pinschers – Often seen as a guard dog (in both real life and the movies), this breed is characterized by intelligence and loyalty. As such, it generally is involved in fatal attacks only when it is under the impression that its “family” is under attack, or when the dog itself has been seriously provoked.
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Chow Chow – This breed, unlike the Doberman, is frequently aloof and independent. If they don’t get enough attention, however, or if they’re poorly trained, they can become incredibly aggressive.
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Presa Canario – Weighing up to 115 pounds of pure muscle, this popular guard dog will attack without fear and has the strength to stop, bring down and kill fully grown men.
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Boxer – A popular pet, the Boxer is frisky and full of energy, and they are not typically aggressive by nature. But they make the list of the top 10 most lethal dogs because they can be highly resistant to training, in spite of their intelligence. When they decide to attack, it can be almost impossible to make them stop.
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Dalmatian – Possibly the most surprising of all entries in the top 10, the Dalmatian is more famous for featuring in Disney movies than in newspaper headlines about fatal dog attacks. Yet they have perfect memory to go along with extremely powerful survival instincts and a surprising tendency to be aggressive. The combination means that, particularly if they are provoked, Dalmatians can and will attack, and in too many cases, the consequences have been fatal.
Sacramento dog bite attorneys see thousands of people every year; not surprising considering the average of 16,000 emergency room visits by bite victims each year. Dog bites are the number two reason for children visiting an emergency room, and make no mistake, when a dog bites, it’s serious. Almost half (46.1 percent) of dog bite injuries treated in emergency rooms were listed by the medical providers in attendance as “urgent-emergent.”
In California, the law is relatively straightforward. If you’ve been bitten by someone else’s dog and you were in a public place, or if you were legally on private property, then the dog owner is liable for your injuries. The owner should have to pay damages, but all too often, people don’t know their rights.
