Even the most docile dog has the capacity to turn vicious. Some dogs who bite may do nothing more than nip, causing pinching pain or a scratch. Other dogs, however, can lash out and maul an individual, leaving the victim with serious injuries that can have long-term consequences. Now, a recently released study shines some light on which dog breeds pose the greatest bite risk and those that pose the greatest risk of serious harm.
The study, conducted by the Ohio State University College of Medicine and its medical center, analyzed 15 years-worth of cases involving facial trauma caused by dog bites. After assessing the extent of these injuries and the type of dogs involved, in addition to research from the 1970s, researchers found that pit bulls, mixed breeds and German shepherds pose the greatest danger. On the other hand, Dalmatians and Great Danes were amongst those with the least amount of risk.
The sad reality is that nearly five million people are bitten by dogs every year, with a significant portion of those individuals requiring medical care. Young children, more specifically those between the ages of five and nine, require medical treatment more often than dog bite victims in other age groups. The harm suffered by any dog bite victim can be extensive, with physical deformities and disability very real possibilities. Other damages can include medical expenses and pain and suffering.
There are more than 80 million dogs in the U.S. who are cared for by owners. As calm as these animals may seem, they can snap in the blink of an eye and cause serious damage. Dogs that are known to be aggressive require more precautions, which far too many owners fail to take. Those who find themselves seriously injured because of an animal attack such as a dog bite should carefully consider their next steps, as legal action may be justified.
