Why Are Some Dog Breeds More Dangerous Than Others?
Being bitten by a dog is a terrifying experience. And it’s even worse when it happens to someone you love. Unfortunately, small children are the most likely victims of dog attacks.
There has been much debate about which breeds are most likely to attack people, and dog bite statistics demonstrate that some breeds are more dangerous than others. However, the most critical factor in determining if a dog will bite someone is how the dog has been treated by its owner. Dogs are more likely to be violent when owners neglect, mistreat, and fail to train them properly.
Dog owners in Ohio may be held liable for injuries caused by their animal even if the dog doesn’t have a history of violent or aggressive behavior. You have the right to seek compensation for injuries, fatalities, and losses caused by the careless actions of negligent dog owners.
Which Dog Breeds Are Most Likely to Attack
Any dog can cause injuries by biting someone. Dogs have strong territorial instincts, and they will naturally act to defend themselves when they feel threatened. However, research indicates that certain breeds are more likely to attack.
Dogs that are bigger and stronger with powerful jaws will do the most damage when they attack. In addition to bite wounds and lacerations, large and heavy dogs can also harm victims by knocking them over, causing severe injuries such as broken bones, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Dogs that have been bred or trained for hunting, fighting, or guarding property tend to be more aggressive. According to Forbes Magazine, three types of dogs pose the greatest threat to people: Pit Bulls, mixed breeds, and German Shepherds.
Pit bulls, which cause 22.5% of dog bites, are responsible for 28% of fatal attacks. Mixed-breed dogs cause 21.2% of dog bites, and German Shepherds are involved in 17.8% of dog bite injuries.
Additional breeds that have demonstrated a greater tendency to attack people include:
- Rottweilers
- Mastiffs
- Huskies
- Chow Chows
- Akitas
- American Bulldogs
- Labrador Retrievers
- Japanese Tosa
- Alaskan Malamutes
- Saint Bernards
- Great Danes
- Doberman Pinschers
- Bullmastiffs
- Preso Canario
Dangerous Dogs and Vicious Dogs in Ohio
County control officers in Ohio may designate a dog as a nuisance, dangerous, or vicious based on its behavior.
- A nuisance dog has chased or menacingly approached someone or attempted to bite someone.
- A dangerous dog has caused serious injury to a person or another dog without provocation, or the owner has been cited for the dog being unattended off the owner’s premises at least three times.
- A vicious dog has killed or caused serious injury to someone who was trespassing or attempting to commit a criminal offense on private property.
Owners of dangerous and vicious dogs are subject to many restrictions that may include keeping the animal confined or enclosed in a locked yard, keeping the dog securely leashed and muzzled when it’s out in public, microchipping the dog, obtaining special registration, purchasing liability insurance, and warning the local dog warden any time the animal gets loose.
A dangerous or vicious dog cannot be legally owned by a convicted felon, and the local dog warden and Board of Health must be notified when the dog gets a new owner.
Was Someone You Love Bitten by a Dog in Cleveland, Ohio?
Regarding dog bite injuries, Ohio is a strict liability state. That means you don’t need to show negligence to collect compensation from the dog’s owner or keeper. You may also seek damages from the dog’s harborer, the individual or entity controlling the premises where the dog and its owner reside, such as a landlord.
After a dog bite occurs, seek medical attention right away. You will also want to report the incident to the local health district and contact an experienced Cleveland dog bite attorney as soon as possible.
The talented litigators at George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law, have been helping dog bite victims get justice in Ohio since 1984. Our firm is Distinguished Peer Rated for High Professional Achievement by Martindale-Hubbell, and Super Lawyers has recognized the outstanding service we provide our clients based on peer reviews and independent research.
Your initial consultation is free. Call (216) 621-3930 to learn more today.