National Canine Research Council

Over the past 45 years (1965 – present) there have been six (6) fatal dog attacks in Oregon, an average of one (1) fatality every 8-9  years.

At least five (5) different breeds/types of dogs have been identified in these attacks.

All six victims were children.

Two victims were infants left unattended with an unfamiliar dog.

The other three cases involved unsupervised children and chained dogs.  In two instances, young boys were attempting to interact with chained dogs. In the third, a small girl fell off a porch and into the perimeter of a chained guard dog.

All the dogs were intact (not spayed or neutered).

Fatal dog attacks are exceedingly rare in Oregon, and despite the significant increase in the dog and human population, there has been no increase in the number of fatal attacks over the previous 3 decades:

Fatal Dog Attacks in Oregon:

• 1977:    Unattended infant killed by dog
• 1978:    Unattended infant killed by dog
• 1985:    4-year-old girl killed by chained dog
• 1986:    5-year-old boy killed by chained dog
• 1999:    8-year-old boy killed by chained dog
• 2010:    5-year-old girl killed by dogs

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

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

In 2005, eighteen (18) Oregon children died as the result of maltreatment (abuse, neglect).

In a single year, 2005, three times as many Oregon children died from maltreatment than the total of all children killed by dogs in the state over the past 45 years.

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Fact is, people in Oregon routinely accept far greater risks from ATVs, bicycles and swimming pools than any that are associated with companion animals.

National Canine Research Council