October 22, 2003 down the answer. And sometimes a bit of fol- low-up research is required. So let’s take a look at some actual dog bite statistics. A 1997 study conducted by the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program looks at dog bite injuries treated at six pediatric and two general hospi- tals (including BC’s Children’s Hospital) across Canada between June 1, 1995 and August 31, 1996. During this period, 766 dog-bite injuries were identified but because further contact was not made with almost 50 percent of the victims, 385 patients were used to gather further data. According to the study, the victim knew the dog in 71.2 percent of the cases. Of the 72.2 percent of the dogs for which breeds were specified, there were 50 types of purebreds and 33 cross breeds. The most common breeds were German Shepherd (14 percent), Cocker Spaniel and Rottweiler (six percent each), Golden Retriever (five per- cent). The other 69 percent of the bites were caused by 79 other breeds or combination of breeds. With at least one incident per breed or mix, less than one percent can possibly be attributed to the “pit bull” group—a group that often comprises up to six actual breeds. What is interesting to note, is that 72.7 per- cent of the cases in which the dog’s sex was known, the aggressive dog was male. Perhaps vicious or dangerous dog by-laws should be based on the gender or the reproductive status (ie. neutered, intact) of the dog, and not on the breed. The majority of dog bites also took place at home rather than in a public place, according to this study. But how many media reports are there about dog bites that occur at home? They aren't as newsworthy as that “dog that jumped out of nowhere” situation. A possible explanation for this, however, is the fact that dog bites that occur at home are less likely to result in a criminal investigation. Statistics Canada mortality data cited in the same study show that between 1991 and 1994, an average of one Canadian per year died from dog-bite related injuries. Unfortunately, the data does not specify breeds responsible for the deaths so no con- clusion can be drawn. Is the “pit bull” a danger to humans? The Canine Aggression Centre , operated by Anna MacNeil Allcock, aggression specialist, points out, “A history of dog-fighting is partly Photos by Angela Blattmann responsible for the breed’s friendliness to peo- ple because for centuries bull-and-terrier breeders culled dogs that showed aggression toward humans.” The reality of the situation is, if your dog was in a dogfight (an activity now illegal but once commonplace), you as the owner had to be able to pull it from the fight without risk- ing a bite from your own dog or its opponent. Furthermore, the site states, “the bull-and-ter- riers had been bred to fight dogs for more than 200 years yet have only been labelled ‘danger- ous’ in the last twenty years.” MacNeil Allcock goes on to state that any shorthaired, medium- sized dog involved in an aggressive incident is apt to be labelled “pit bull” by the media. Indeed, media reports of dog bites are often accompanied by photos of non-bully breed dogs, and sometimes a story of an incident involving a different breed, such as a Presa Canario, can be accompanied by a file photo of a “pit bull.” Neither is indicative of respon- sible reporting and has lead to a dog formerly nicknamed the “Nanny,” for its care of and gentleness with children becoming a banned breed in many places. Now there is a certain amount of dog aggression within the bully breeds that is attributed to their fighting lineage, but this is dog-targeted aggression, and often occurs between two dominant males. MacNeil Allcock highly advises against keeping two male bully breeds. The dogs will not give up; they have the tenacity common to all terriers. It is therefore up to owners to not let their dogs get into a fight. Watch for body lan- guage, and don’t let the fight start—good advice for all dog owners, not merely for own- ers of the bull-and-terrier breeds. Vicious dogs are made, not born. And while certain breeds have a propensity toward cer- tain behaviour, labelling a breed as vicious, based on media hype, is not at all beneficial. If you plan on getting a dog—of any breed— research the breed, learn its strengths, its weaknesses, and use this knowledge to select a dog that will fit your lifestyle. A dog that is penned up for hours, void of human affection and quality dog interaction, is bound to be unstable. If you can’t provide a dog with the attention, exercise, and training it requires, do yourself, the dog, and society a favour and don’t become a pet owner. The Canine Aggression Centre Features http://www otherpress.ca e the other press © Page 15