National Canine Research Council
Home | About NCRC | NCRC Research | NCRC Resources | Dogs in the Media | Are Dogs a Danger in Your State? | Fear vs. Fact | Canine Aggression | Recent Case Studies | An Epidemic of Dog Bites? | Politics and BSL | Contact NCRC

Minnesota

                  Are Dogs A Real Danger?

       A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report

Over the past 43 years (1965 - 2007) there have been three (3) fatal dog attacks in Minnesota or approximately one (1) dog attack fatality every 14 years.

Two different breeds of dogs have been involved in the three fatal attacks.

One of the three fatal attacks in Minnesota involved loose roaming dogs attacking a child on a bicycle, (1984). The other two fatal dog attacks were inflicted on unsupervised children attempting to interact with a chained dog, (1981, 2007).

The third and latest fatal attack (2007) occurred in Minneapolis with a intact, male dog chained in the basement. The dog had a history of biting and aggression. There was also a female dog on the premises, and a litter of puppies. The owner/father has been charged with Manslaughter 2nd.

All dogs involved in fatal attacks in Minnesota were intact (not spayed or neutered).

Although the population of humans and dogs in Minnesota has increased over the past 20 years, there has been NO increase in the number of fatal dog attacks in the state.

And despite the reckless ownership practices of some dog owners, dogs still pose an incredibly low risk for causing a fatal as demonstrated by the following statistics:

Fatal Dog Attacks in Minnesota as Compared to Other Selected Risks:

Fatalities in Minnesota over a 10-year-period:   1993 - 2002

Persons killed by dogs:                            0

Persons killed by fireworks:                     1

Killed by Mule:                

     1
Children killed by horses:      4
Adults killed by cattle:      7
Lightning deaths:    11
Persons drowned in swimming pool:   24*
Bicycle-related deaths:   39*

* Under reported - data only includes years 1999 - 2002.

Furthermore, according to the Minnesota Department of Adminstration:     

In 2002, eighteen (18) children died from maltreatment (abuse/neglect) in Minnesota.

In a SINGLE YEAR (2002), more than FOUR TIMES as many Minnesota children died as a result of abuse or neglect than the TOTAL from ALL fatal dog attacks in Minnesota over the past 43 years.

 So, are dogs a danger?  Fact is, people in Minnesota routinely accept far greater risks from ATVs, bicycles, and swimming pools than any that are associated with companion animals.

www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com