Dog Bites: Does Breed Matter for Legal Liability?

Though some breeds reportedly bite more people than others, many factors go into whether or not a dog might attack you. You shouldn’t necessarily be wary or relaxed around certain breeds. You should always be on alert for potential danger around an unfamiliar dog.

A dog can cause severe physical and psychological wounds. If a dog attacks you or a family member, learn about your legal rights to compensation by calling Satterley & Kelley, PLLC today at 855-385-9532.

How Often Do Dogs Bite Americans?

It’s estimated that dogs bite people in the US about 4.5 million times a year, according to Canine Journal. Approximately 800,000 of these bites require medical treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This means that one in 74 Americans will be bitten by a dog this year.

A dog’s breed is one factor of many for dog bites. They can result from:

• The victim’s behavior
• A dog’s environment
• The dog’s upbringing
• Its training, if any
• The victim’s ability to recognize and respond to possible warning signs

Dogs give cues to show they’re uncomfortable or feel fear or stress. A person may not notice or misinterpret those signals. A person’s understanding, or lack thereof, of dog behavior and communications may be a bigger bite factor than its breed.

Are Mixed-Breed Dogs More Dangerous Than Purebred Dogs?

You’re slightly more likely to encounter a mixed-breed dog than a pure-breed dog, according to Psychology Today. One estimate is that about 53% of US dogs are mixed-breed. Though some may believe pure-bred dogs are more likely to be neurotic, nervous, or excitable, there’s no research backing that up.

A study by a group of Hungarian researchers examined 7,700 purebred dogs from more than 200 breeds and 7,691 mixed-breed dogs. The data was collected through an online questionnaire administered to dog owners. Some of the results include the following:

• Mixed-breed dogs were significantly less calmthan purebred dogs. Calm is shown by a dog being emotionally balanced and cool-headed, as opposed to being anxious or stressed
• The mixed-breed dogs were much less sociable toward other dogs
• Mixed-breed dogs were more likely to have behavior problems like pulling on a leash, jumping on people, not responding when called, and showing dominant behaviors
• Both types of dogs were equal in trainability and had a personality trait labelled “boldness” (the opposite of being fearful or awkward)

The researchers tried to come up with explanations for their findings, including the following:

• Mixed-breed dogs are generally the result of random breeding, not planned matings for careful, selective breeding. Breeders pay attention to temperament, so an ill-tempered and excitable dog with behavior problems is less likely to mate with another dog of the same breed, so genetics may play a role
• Environmental factors, owner demographics, and the treatment of dogs affect outcomes. Mixed-breed dog owners tended to be younger, less educated, and with less prior experience with dogs than purebred owners
• Mixed-breed dogs were less likely to be formally trained. Formal training should improve a dog’s calmness and sociability. These dogs should also be less likely to have behavioral problems

If you encounter a mixed-breed dog, don’t assume it’s safer than one that’s a pure breed.

The Three Breeds Most Often Named in Attack Reports

Despite the many variables, certain breeds are more frequently identified in dog-bite and attack reports. Across multiple studies, Pit bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds are most often reported in severe or fatal attacks.

That doesn’t necessarily mean these breeds are inherently more dangerous. There may be overlapping issues:

• Breeds chosen for protection, guarding, or status may be poorly trained or managed
• The more popular a breed, the greater the chances of incidents
• A dog reported to be a Pit bull may be a mixed breed without that breed’s lineage

The breeds and the issues involving their potential violence are as follows:

1. Pit Bull–Type Dogs

They are the most commonly cited in studies and analyses of fatal dog bites. These dogs can be of several distinct breeds (or a mix of them), including the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Bull Terrier.

• A CDC review of attacks from 1979 to 1996 found 60 fatalities involving Pit Bull–type dogs, the most of any breed
• Another study of 157 fatalities from 1979 to 1988 reported that Pit Bulls were involved in 42% of cases where the breed of the attacking dog was documented
• A pediatric medicine review of nearly 15,000 dog bites from 2007 to 2015 found Pit Bulls accounted for 27% of cases, particularly among teens
• A 2017 trauma study found that Pit Bull bites were half of all surgeries and were 2.5 times more likely to bite multiple body parts than other breeds

Although pit bulls are most frequently identified in serious-bite studies, inconsistent identification, owner issues, and popularity may make these numbers less helpful than they appear.

2. Rottweilers

Rottweilers rank behind pit bulls in fatality data.

• In a CDC 17-year review, 29 fatal dog bite cases involved Rottweilers or about 7% of the total dog-bite–related deaths.
• A review covering 20 years found that Pit bulls and Rottweilers accounted for more than half of fatal injuries, though at least 25 breeds were represented,

Rottweilers are large, have strong guarding instincts, and a muscular build. Their characteristics contribute to the severity of their attacks, but their popularity and owner behavior are significant variables.

3. German Shepherds

These are intelligent, loyal, and protective dogs. They’re often used for police and military work, and these traits require careful management in a home.

• In CDC bite-fatality data, German Shepherds are listed for 19 reported deaths from 1979 to 1996
• Pediatric bite data  places them second to Pit Bulls for child-related injuries
• A study of dog-specific risk factors found Chow Chows and German Shepherds were more likely to attack people outside of household members, particularly children younger than 12

The German Shepherd’s strong guarding instincts partially explain these high numbers. The risk of an attack can be drastically reduced with exercise, proper training, and supervision. Owners unwilling or unable to commit to this work may lay the foundation for a future bite.

Have You or a Loved One Suffered a Severe Dog Bite?

Kentucky law, with some limitations, imposes strict liability on dog owners for their dogs’ bites. Depending on the circumstances, another person, such as a pet sitter or walker, may also be liable.

If a dog injures you or a family member, call our Louisville office toll-free at 855-385-9532 to learn more about possible compensation and your legal rights. You can also schedule a free initial consultation by completing our online contact form.