Whether you believe in “nature” or “nurture” when it comes to the aggressiveness of pit bulls as a breed, numbers don’t lie. Pit bulls are the very most dangerous breed of dog, bar none. One person is killed every 14 days by a pit bull, and two people are injured by a pit bull every 24 hours, according to a report in the Annals of Surgery. These animals are so dangerous that they are banned in parts of the world; in the U.S., some cities don’t allow them, and there have been calls for the breed to be banned altogether.
If you or someone you love has been attacked by a dog, you can count on the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg and our Los Angeles dog bite attorney to be there for you from day one. Contact us right away to discuss your case details.
There are millions of dogs in America kept as pets, and most of them are docile and loving. Of those millions, pit bulls account for just 6 percent of their numbers, but from 1982, pit bulls have accounted for 68 percent of all dog bites and 52 percent of dog-related fatalities, according to a report from animal news organization Animals 24-7. The organizations’ research seems to be corroborated by the Centers for Disease Control, which found that from 1978 to 1998, pit bulls were responsible for more dog bite deaths than any other dog breed. More modern figures from the CDC are not available, since the agency no longer collects information on any specific dog breed.
The report goes on to say that there has been a rise in dog maulings as the number of pit bulls entering the shelter system increases. From the years 2010 through 2014, the report notes that 35 shelter dogs were involved in fatal human attacks; 24 of those dogs were pit bulls.
While pit bull enthusiasts say aggressive behavior by these dogs is the fault of the owner, not the dog, others disagree. Critics argue that pit bulls are bred specifically to be aggressive, and they say that regardless of the abuse or neglect of the pit bull by its owner, other dogs are abused and neglected—and yet they don’t respond by killing or hurting humans. The ASPCA acknowledges the breed’s inherent danger, stating on its website that: “Pit bulls have been bred to behave differently during a fight. They may not give warning before becoming aggressive, and they’re less likely to back down when clashing with an opponent.” Of the pit bull breed, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, says: “The public is misled to believe that pit bulls are like any other dog. And they just aren’t.”
California dog owners are held strictly liable for any injuries that their pets cause. If you have been attacked by a dog, contact our lawyer in Los Angeles now to discuss your case details and determine the best course of action moving forward with your dog bite claim.
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