| Many people are concerned with the prospect of dog | | | | destroyed already. |
| bites. Although the ideal canine companion should be | | | | However, here are some facts given out by the CDC |
| mild or even tempered, there are just instances | | | | or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| when a dog can attack either after an unthinkable | | | | that you might want to know: |
| provocation or for other unknown reasons. Some | | | | 1. According to hospital records in 1994, more than |
| dogs are trained to attack, but these dogs must be | | | | 16,000 people were bitten or attacked by dogs that |
| carefully handled and looked after at all times; | | | | year; none of which were fatal but a good 6% of |
| otherwise, the law dictates that the dogs should be | | | | the victims needed one or more forms of |
| destroyed. As such, there are no established dog bite | | | | reconstructive surgery. In 2001, that number rose to |
| statistics by breed in the country, other than those | | | | an alarming estimate of about 80,000 people |
| privately gathered (and sadly, unverified) by | | | | nationwide, and 22% of the those needed extensive |
| independent sources. The truth is: many cases of dog | | | | hospitalization and reconstructive surgery. And from |
| attacks remain unreported, with the injured parties | | | | that 22%, one-third of the victims were always |
| not even bothering to acquire medical assistance, for | | | | children 7 years and younger. Infants or children who |
| fear that the dogs might be destroyed; or for fear | | | | have yet learned to walk are the most vulnerable, |
| that the owners of the dogs might do something | | | | constituting almost all of the cases of the victims |
| more damaging; or even just fear of being | | | | who were under 7 years of age. |
| reprimanded (as with the numerous cases of teenage | | | | 2. Pit Bulls have the most notorious reputation for |
| injuries.) | | | | biting people. In 2005, it is estimated that about 82% |
| Besides, there are also no reliable estimates as to | | | | of all the dog attacks in the country were from this |
| how many dogs are in the country, or the number of | | | | breed or from Pit Bull crossbreeds. This number may |
| individuals per breed. Although the law dictates that a | | | | have been partly due to the fact that the population |
| license for each canine pet is acquired by their | | | | of Pit Bulls as home pets is also on the rise. Experts |
| owners, there are many of those who adopt strays | | | | are estimating about 3 million to 10 million registered |
| or breed dogs without any regard for permits and | | | | and unregistered Pit Bulls are now living in the |
| such. Additionally, only the seemingly extreme cases | | | | country. |
| of dog bites are reported by the media. It is said, | | | | 3. Other known dog breeds that have a lengthy |
| that in some counties, dog bites occur on a very | | | | record of dog bites and attacks are: Akitas, Alaskan |
| regular basis that people around are desensitized with | | | | Malamutes, Chow Chows, Doberman Pinschers, |
| the topic. And lastly, many people who are attacked | | | | German Shepherds, Great Danes, Huskies, |
| by strange dogs usually do not know precisely what | | | | Rottweilers, and Saint Bernards. Rottweilers rank the |
| breed of dog they were facing. By the time the | | | | second most dangerous dog in the CDC’s list |
| identification would have been made, the offending | | | | after the Pitt Bull. |
| animal would have escaped or would have been | | | | |