We hear many stories about people and their pets getting attacked every year. Some of these stories are more surprising than others, but the reasoning for some is that the dog attacked because of their anger towards the owner. Is this true? Let’s take a look at two such stories to find out!
Pit Bulls and Dog Attacks
Many people believe that pit bulls are inherently evil and dangerous simply because of the number of dog attacks they have been involved in. The truth is that pit bulls, like all breeds of dogs, can be aggressive if mistreated or raised incorrectly. However, a pit bull’s aggression is usually only directed toward other animals or humans who have wronged them in some way.
Pit bulls were originally bred as working dogs, and due to this history, they are often given the responsibility of being the family’s protector. This means that pit bulls may be more likely to act aggressively if someone provokes them or makes them feel threatened.
However, even if a Pit Bull does aggresssv toward another animal or person, it is still not automatically classified as a “dog attack.” An actual dog attack involves an animal attacking a human without any provocation.
Statistics of Dog Attacks
In the United States, pit bulls are considered one of the most dangerous dog breeds. Out of all types of dogs that attack humans, pit bulls are estimated to be responsible for more than two-thirds of all dog attacks.
Despite this reputation, pit bulls have a low rate of attacking people relative to other dog breeds. In fact, according to the National Canine Research Council (NCRC), only 1% of pit bull owners report that their pet has attacked someone else.
This low aggression rate may be partly due to the fact that pit bulls are often used as service or police dogs. Because these animals are typically well-trained and obedient, they tend not to misbehave around people they know and trust. Additionally, many pit bulls who attack humans suffer from mental or personality disorders, which can make them unpredictable and dangerous.
Despite the low number of attacks by pit bulls overall, these animals remain one of the most feared dog breeds in America. This is likely due to the high number of fatal attacks involving this breed over the years. For example, between 1998 and 2007, there were an average of eight deadly attacks involving a pit bull – more than any other type of dog breed [source: NCRC].
The Dangerous Myth Of Pit Bull Safety
There is a myth that pit bulls are somehow more dangerous than other breeds of dogs when it comes to attacking humans. The data shows that pit bulls are less likely to attack people than any other type of dog.
In 2015, pit bulls were involved in 18% of all dog bite fatalities, compared to 33% for German Shepherds and 44% for Rottweilers. The myth that pit bulls are inherently more dangerous is not valid.
Why Is the Myth that Pit Bulls Are Safe?
There is a pervasive myth that pit bulls are safe, and this misconception has led to their vilification. In actuality, pit bulls are one of the most likely breeds of dogs to attack people.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that pit bulls were responsible for 38% of all dog bite-related fatalities between 1998 and 2007. This is more than any other breed of dog! The risk of death from a pit bull attack is also exponentially more significant than that of a Rottweiler or Doberman.
There are several reasons why pit bulls are so dangerous. First, they are pack animals, which means they crave human interaction. They may try to dominate their owners or others around them, leading to aggression.
Pit bulls also have a strong prey drive – they instinctively seek out humans as their primary food source. Finally, pit bulls are known for being very aggressive towards other dogs – even small breeds – and can quickly become violent when provoked.
Conclusion
There’s no denying that pit bulls have been disproportionately targeted in attacks by other dogs, but it’s important to remember that not all pit bulls are bad. In fact, according to the American Pit Bull Foundation, “Pit Bulls make great family pets, and their popularity is based on nothing more than their loving personality and gentle temperament.”
Regardless of whether or not you believe that every single pit bull is good-natured and deserves to be saved from a dog attack, it’s essential to be aware of the criminal nature of some pit bulls so we can help protect those who do pose a danger but don’t deserve such a stigma.