Dangerous dog breed profiling based on misleading statistics 'Without knowing the number of animals in the United States by breed, one cannot meaningfully compute risk,' and therein lies the nub of the problem. Although pitbulls and rottweillers accounted for 60% of reported US human fatalities by dogbite in 1997-1998, it means little statistically because we don't know the total numbers of dogs for each breed. It is also true that dogs are very influenced and shaped by their environment: the old 'nature vs. nurture' theory says that virtually any dog can be turned mean by mean owners and neglectful care. Other problems with accounting include:
'* There is no well-defined pit bull breed. Several breeds fall into that general, nontechnical category.
* The intense publicity some pit bull attacks have generated may have led to an overreporting of pit bull incidents in witness accounts and media stories.
* Pit bulls have become popular with owners who train their dogs to be aggressive and dangerous.'
Even so, many homeowner's associations are banning pit bulls and other breeds.
Related articles:
Boy watched as pet was devoured Attacks by pit bull left victims' owners stunned and shocked. Eleven-year-old Isaiah Madden watched a neighbor's pit bull terrier devour his small Shih Tzu, Simba, in his own back yard...
Owner agrees to sterilize Pitbull
Homeowner's insurance won't go to dogs
Vicious dog shot after attack
Dog abuser allowed to keep pit bull
Pit bull owner gets long jail term
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