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FATALITIES ?
In analyzing nonfatal dog bite injuries we find an increase in serious injuries each year. A
study was done by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Center for
Injury Prevention (view study here) which showed in 1994 that 333,700 patients were
treated for dog bites in emergency departments (EDs) and in 2001 there were 368,245
patients treated in EDS's.
A study was done by the American Canine Foundation which shows that where breed
bans have been enacted dog bite incidents reports have increased. Based on current
dog data, banning ten breeds of dogs from a city will not reduce dog bites given the ratio
between mixed breeds compared to purebred dogs. Strong laws that penalize the
owners, regardless of the breed are what is needed.
These types of laws are valid, have merit and are not vague or capricious. ACF supports
laws that hold owners accountable for their dog’s behavior. Laws need to declare a dog
potentially dangerous when it menaces a human, or when they bite a human or
domestic animal. The owners need to be cited and placed under restrictions. A second
offense should automatically declare the dog dangerous and call for a misdemeanor
charge against the owner.
Dogs that have been declared dangerous because they caused severe injury should be
required to be kept confined, muzzled in public and have insurance coverage of $250,000
dollars or more. If a second incident happens with a dog declared dangerous and the
dog causes injury, the owner should be charged with a felony. If the dog kills a human
there should be a charge of negligent homicide and the owner should be prohibited from
owning dogs. If a dog has been declared potentially dangerous and kills a human, the
owner should be charged with negligent homicide.
Washington’s RCW 16.08 070 – 100 is the state law for regulation and control of
dangerous dogs. Under the statute if a dog causes severe injury regardless of whether
the dog has a prior history of biting the owner can be charged with a Felony
Below you will find useful information regarding how you can help in your area.
 | How a bill becomes a law (California) |
| Ten Tips For Successful Involvement in Canine Legislation |
| Writing a letter to a government Official | |
