Over the past 45 years (1965-present) there have been six (6) fatal dog attacks in Nebraska, an average of one (1) fatality approximately every seven to eight years.
The victims were all children, and all the dogs involved in fatal attacks in Nebraska were intact (not spayed or neutered).
All six incidents involved young children.
In 1974, a 2-year-old boy wandered over to a chained dog and was killed. (Sarpy)
In 1984, a 5-year-old boy was attacked and killed on his parents’ farm by their resident dog. (Culbertson).
In 1989, a 3-year-old girl was seen poking a chained dog with a stick before the dog attacked and killed her. (Omaha)
In 1990, a 7-year-old boy was killed by his grandparent’s dog while visiting their farm. (Richardson County)
In 2002, the dog pictured above, escaped from a kennel and killed a 4-year-old boy. The dog was being trained for police work. (Lancaster)
In 2003, a 3-year-old girl wandered out into the backyard of her aunt and uncle’s home and was attacked and killed by their dog. (Saronville)
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In spite of the negligent ownership practices of some dog owners and/or parents, dogs still pose an incredibly low risk for causing a fatality in Nebraska:
| Nebraska: Recognized Risks | Year 2005 |
| Tobacco-related fatalities | 2,350 |
| Total (alcohol & non) traffic deaths | 276 |
| Alcohol-related traffic fatalities | 93 |
| ATV-related fatalities | 8 |
| Bicycle-related fatalities | 5 |
| Child killed by firearms | 1 |
| Persons killed by dogs | 0 |
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
In 2005, six (6) Nebraska children died as the result of maltreatment (abuse, neglect).
In a single year, 2005, as many Nebraska children died from maltreatment as the total of all children killed by dogs in the state over the past 44 years.
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Fact is, people in Nebraska routinely accept far greater risks from ATVs and bicycles than any that are associated with companion animals.
National Canine Research Council