Boy, you'd never know this from listening to the media. However, according to a press release by the National Canine Research Council last week, dog bites across the United States have been falling over the past 3 decades.
According to the release: "In the last ten years, in particular, America has seen stunning decreases in reported dog bites. Dog safety education programs, better understanding of canine bahvior, increased awareness of the importance of spaying and neutering animals and the creation and enforcement of leash laws have contributed to this decline".
The report notes an 83% decline in dog bites in Chicago and an 80% decrease in New York over the past few years vs 3 decades ago (both cities are incidentally in states that prohibit BSL). Postal workers have seen a 50% decline in bites.
Instead of reading these numbers you have the media seemingly increasing its coverage of dog bites, increased "calls for action", websites dedicated to spreading fear about dog bites, and city council's passing ordinances without much information but because they feel compelled to "do something".
Even more disturbing is when in spite of these national decreases in dog bites, cities are passing Breed Specific Laws and causing their total number of dog bites to go up. Aurora, CO reversed a downward trend line when it passed BSL 2 years ago. Sioux City, IA has shown no decrease in total dog bites in spite of their BSL. Kansas City and San Francisco passed BSL Spay/neuter ordinances than have also not shown to decrease the number of dog bites, San Francisco has actually seen a signifant increase in bites.
We should continue to make sure that we request that our cities make decisions based on accurate information and REAL data, vs misinformation and hysteria created off of sensationalized media reporting.
By the way, this press release was posted on PR Newswire last week, and I've yet to find even one media outlet that has picked up the article -- even during dog bite prevention week. Interesting.
This is exactly why I don't watch the news on tv. They still feed on bad news not acurate news. As a doberman owner it saddens me that some people are fearful of my dogs because of the breeds bad publicity.
Posted by: Jaki | May 30, 2008 at 01:27 AM
Brent said, "By the way, this press release was posted on PR Newswire last week, and I've yet to find even one media outlet that has picked up the article -- even during dog bite prevention week. Interesting."
No, Brent, it's more than interesting. It's a disgrace and goes to prove that the Media has no interest in balanced and/or truthful reporting. The Media feels no responsibility for the Truth and has purposely distorted it. The media has not even attempted to fulfill their duty to INFORM us.
The Media's decision to ignore this really significant article proves it.
Posted by: Becky | May 30, 2008 at 10:41 PM