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Nebraska

Are Dogs A Real Danger?

A National Canine Research Council Perspective Report

Over the past 43 years (1965 to 2007) there have been five (5) fatal dog attacks in Nebraska, or an average of one (1) fatality every 8 to 9 years.

Three different breeds/types of dogs were involved in a fatal attack in Nebraska.

Recent discussions of banning Pit bulls in Nebraska compel the NCRC to comment that none of the five fatal attacks in Nebraska involved a Pit bull or pit bull-type dog.

The victims were: 5 children

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

All five cases involved young children left unsupervised with unfamiliar dogs or children who wandered off and encountered unfamiliar dogs.

In spite of the negligent ownership practices of some dog owners, dog still pose an incredibly low risk for causing a fatality:

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

Snapshot of Nebraska:   Year  2005

Persons killed by dogs:     0
Child killed by firearms:     1
Bicycle-related fatalities:     5
ATV-related fatalities:     8
Total firearm fatalities:    28
Alcohol-related traffic fatalities:    93
Total traffic fatalities:   276
Tobacco-related deaths: 2,350

Furthermore, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

In 2005, six (6) Nebraska children died as a result of maltreatment (abuse or neglect).

In a SINGLE YEAR, 2005, more Nebraska children died from maltreatment (abuse and neglect) than the TOTAL from ALL fatal dog attacks in Nebraska over the past 43 years.

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

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