Serious Dog Bites on the Rise

January 06, 2011 (Press-News.org) A woman in Moreno Valley, California, is an example of the increase in violent dog attacks. Christina Casey, 53, was killed when she was attacked by two pit bulls that belonged to her neighbor. Officials are still deciding whether or not to bring charges against the owners of the dogs. This attack is an example of the rising trends nationwide, as highlighted by a recent article in the Los Angeles Times that discussed a new study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

AHRQ reported that dog bites requiring hospitalization have increased 86 percent from 1993 to 2008. Every day, 866 people have to visit an emergency room for treatment because of a dog bite. The study examined ages of those injured, as well as the types of injuries suffered as a result of the attack.

Small children and elderly adults are the most vulnerable to bites, as those aged 65 or older as well as those who were 9 or younger had the highest rates of hospitalization. Injuries ranged from skin punctures to infections due to the bacteria in the dog's mouth.

One of the issues that study did not address is the issue of which dogs seem to show the most inclination to bite. While many breeds such as pit bulls, Dobermans, German Shepherds and Rottweilers receive much of the attention devoted to dangerous dogs, other breeds frequently show up on lists, including Chow Chows, Beagles and Pugs.

There is no fast and easy way to list with certainty which dogs will be dangerous. Often, many factors come together before a dog will attack. Some owners do not properly train their dogs, making them more inclined to bad behavior. Dogs may also misread some interactions, and think that they are in danger. This could cause them to act defensively in a misguided attempt to defend themselves or their owners.

Some cities have banned certain breeds, making it difficult to fully gauge a dog's propensity to attack. Also, some breeds are extremely popular, meaning there are more of them in homes across the country. Since many bites are from family pets, this may skew numbers for those breeds as well. If you have been injured by an animal attack, contact an experienced attorney in your area to discuss your available options.

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