Montana
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 Montana, or an average of one (1) fatality every 14 years.
Three different breeds/types of dogs have been identified as being involved in a fatal attack in Montana.
The victims were: 3 children
All the dogs involved in fatal attacks in Montana were intact (not spayed or neutered).
All three cases involved unsupervised children left alone in a yard with unfamiliar dogs (2 cases) or the child wandering off and encountering an unfamiliar, chained dog (1 case).
In spite of reckless or negligent ownership practices of some dog owners, dogs still pose an incredibly low risk for causing a fatality:
Fatal Dog Attacks in Montana as Compared to Other Selected Risks:
Snapshot of Montana: Year 2004
| Persons killed by dogs: | 0 |
| Fatal hunting accident: | 1 |
| Bicycle-related deaths: | 2 |
| Child <10 yrs. old drowned: | 3 |
| ATV-related fatalities: | 14 |
| Motorcycle fatalities: | 17 |
So, are dogs a danger? Fact is, people in Montana routinely accept greater risks from bicycles and ATVs than any that are associated with companion animals.
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