What types of dogs bite the most?

On Behalf of | Oct 11, 2019 | Animal Bites

If the first thing you think when you think about “dogs that bite” is “pit bull,” you probably aren’t alone. Indeed, Ohio State University (OSU) researchers say that your instincts are likely correct — although not everyone agrees with their conclusions.

OSU researchers decided to look into the relationship between facial injuries from dog bites and the breed of dog responsible. The purpose was to provide guidance in a pediatric journal that could help people assess the risk to their families by a particular breed. Children are often the victims of serious facial injuries from dog bites simply because they’re on the dog’s level.

Here are some of the things they’ve found:

  • About 60% of the time, the breed of the dog involved in a biting incident is unknown.
  • On dogs with known breeds, pit bulls were most frequently responsible for bites, and their bites were the most serious.
  • Mixed-breed dogs and German shepherds were also in the top three breeds that bite.

In general, even if the breed isn’t known, researchers say that large dogs (over 66 pounds) with a square head and a wide, short jaw, are more likely to bite. They’re also more likely to cause the most damage.

Pit bull lovers, however, aren’t convinced. They say that the research is inherently flawed because it doesn’t include the data from all the bites where the victim doesn’t go to the emergency room. They insist that pit bulls are unfairly treated and mislabeled as an aggressive breed.

The reality is that a dog bite can happen at any time. Facial injuries can leave you or your loved one in need of years of treatment, including surgery. Find out more about your legal rights today.

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