Dogs are arguably the most common pet found in American households. You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who hasn’t had at least one pet dog at some point during their life. It’s probably also a pretty safe bet to say that just about any child is going to answer with a resounding “Yes!” if you ask them if they’d like a new puppy.
Unfortunately, even though it’s often said that the dog is man’s best friend, dogs can also be one of the most dangerous animals that many people interact with on a daily basis. What’s more, certain breeds of dogs that are commonly kept as family pets have a statistically higher propensity to bite or attack both people and other animals. In many areas of the country—and the world—there is special legislation that regulates the breeding and ownership of some of the most aggressive dogs.
Millions Of Dog Bites Occur Each Year
A recent report on dog bites and injuries from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 4.5 million dog bites occur every year in the United States. Out of those, approximately 800,000 of the bites caused injuries serious enough to require medical attention. With the U.S. population estimated at about 328.2 million in 2019, that works out to about one out of every 73 people in the country suffering a dog bite or attack every year.
Dog Attacks By Breed: The Most Likely To Bite And Cause Injuries
Any dog can be dangerous if it is teased or antagonized, but some breeds are naturally more aggressive than others and more likely to bite. Others can be especially dangerous because of their physical size and/or strength. Some of the breeds that can deliver the worst dog bites have jaws powerful enough to bite with a force of over 500 pounds. That’s more pressure than some bear traps.
The Pit Bull Terrier
Sometimes called the American Pit Bull Terrier but often referred to simply as a Pit Bull, this breed is known as one of the most aggressive and potentially dangerous dogs in the world. In many places, special training or permits are required to own a Pit Bull. In other areas, they are flat out banned.
Although many people argue that the dog’s bad reputation is the result of shady breeders and poor training, Pit Bulls are, nevertheless, responsible for more fatal dog attacks than any other breed in the United States. In 2019, Pit Bulls were responsible for 69% of fatal dog attacks in the country. This breed can be extremely dangerous in the hands of an owner that does not know how to train and handle the dog properly.
The Rottweiler
Rottweilers, one of the most popular breeds to serve as guard dogs, are known to be incredibly loyal to their own family but quite dangerous to people they are unfamiliar with. Rottweilers and Pit Bulls together were responsible for 76% of fatal attacks according to a government study of dog attacks between 1979 and 1998. Rottweilers are capable of inflicting a dog bite with over 300 pounds per square inch of pressure.
The Boxer
Boxers are another breed known to be extremely loyal to their caretakers but potentially very dangerous to others. They are naturally strong, muscular dogs with aggressive tendencies. Boxers have even been known to injure their owners or family members unintentionally while playing because of their aggressive attitude, strength, and size.
The German Shepherd
Most people will recognize the German Shepherd as one of the breeds most commonly used as police or military dogs. They can be trained to carry out many different “jobs” and often become destructive if they are not kept busy.
German Shepherds can be very territorial and don’t react well to trespassing strangers. As most of us have probably seen videos of police dog demonstrations, it’s not hard to imagine that a dog bite from a German Shepherd can be viscous, damaging, and painful.
The Doberman Pinscher
Often referred to simply as Dobermans, these dogs are another common choice when a smart, strong guard dog is needed. When properly raised and trained, they can make excellent family dogs. In the hands of an inexperienced dog owner, however, a Doberman’s aggressive tendencies, speed, and strength can make them dangerous and more than willing to inflict a serious dog bite on an unfamiliar person that gets too close.
More Breeds Known To Deliver A Serious Dog Bite
There are several other breeds of dogs that are not quite as common as those we’ve listed above, but are worth mentioning. Many breeds exist that are not so well-known, but very dangerous because of intentional efforts to create strong animals suitable for guard duty or fighting. Among them:
- Dogo Argentino – Sometimes called the Argentinian Mastiff, these dogs are strong, heavy, and fast. Originally bred for big game hunting, they can do serious damage if not properly trained and controlled.
- Tosa Inu – These dogs were originally bred in Japan to serve specifically as fighting dogs. They are illegal to own in many parts of the world. Their jaws are capable of clamping down with more than 500 PSI of pressure.
- Presa Canario – This large and powerful breed originated in the Canary Islands. They were bred to serve as guard dogs. They have a strong instinct to chase and capture prey, which means that once they’ve decided to chase, it will be extremely difficult to escape without suffering a dog bite.
- Wolf hybrids – People looking for “exotic” dogs are often attracted to various crosses between wolves and different dog breeds. These animals can be highly unpredictable and dangerous. They are often much more aggressive than a common dog and can be quite hard to train as well.
Speak With An Experienced Arkansas Dog Bite Lawyer
At the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we’ve seen and helped many clients who have suffered serious injuries due to dog bites and attacks. It doesn’t matter where the dog bite took place. If you’ve been injured by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation to help pay for your pain, injuries, and medical treatment. The only way to find out for sure is to speak with an experienced dog bite lawyer.
If you or someone you know is dealing with injuries caused by a dog bite, we can help. Your initial consultation is both free and confidential. You can contact us anytime online or call (888) 220-7068 to schedule an appointment. We’ll be happy to go over the details of your case and discuss what we can do to help you.
