BEHAVIOUR - Dog Bite Prevention and BSL, What Works?

When it comes to breed specific legislation (BSL), emotions run high and empirical evidence is lacking.

The dogs most commonly targeted for BSL are “pit bulls,” a group that includes Bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, and any mix of these breeds.

Identifying pit bulls is a challenge, since the validity of genetic testing is ineffective because “pit bull” is a type rather than a recognized breed, and identification based on physical characteristics is unreliable.

BSL has been enacted in many jurisdictions globally, despite evidence that bite frequency does not drop as a result.

In fact, some jurisdictions have seen an increase in bite frequency following BSL.

Toronto, as a notable Canadian example, has had an increase in bite instances since instituting a pit bull ban in 2005. The Netherlands repealed a 15-year ban after finding that dog bite frequency had not been reduced.

When a jurisdiction is used as its own control, meaning that the jurisdiction is tested against itself before and after enacting BSL, there is no significant reduction in incidence.

So why does it remain such a popular option if it is expensive to enact, difficult to maintain, and demonstrably ineffective?

One study published by the AVMA suggests that this enthusiasm is due to a misperception of risk (people believe that the risk associated with dog bites is higher than it is, and that the risk associated with certain breeds is higher than it is), stereotyping and misinformation about breeds, and the belief that BSL is effective despite evidence to the contrary.

There are alternatives, and they appear to be effective. Italy repealed its breed-specific regulations in 2009, and replaced them with laws that focus on the owner. Health Undersecretary Francesca Martini said, “The measures adopted in the previous laws had no scientific foundation… With this law we have overcome the black list, which was just a fig leaf (over the larger problem), and we have increased the level of guarantees for citizens.”

Calgary, Alberta has adopted a similar approach to dog bite prevention, focusing on owner education and placing the responsibility for safety on the owners, rather than the dogs.

Calgary-based trainer Megan Armstrong, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, agrees that focusing on the owner is critical. “We must better educate dog owners on canine communication and body language… In an ideal world, we would be looking at it being mandatory that dog owners train and socialize their dogs versus putting the blame on a breed. Dogs follow our direction, so we must hold dog owners more accountable to how they are training and raising them versus making the dog pay for our errors.”

Despite this evidence, and public support for owner-focused legislation from high-profile pet organizations such as the National Companion Animal Coalition, BSL seems here to stay.

As some repeal BSL, other jurisdictions, like Quebec, are currently contemplating enacting it. And some Canadian insurance providers deny coverage to pit bull owners, or charge higher premiums for owners of pit bulls.

By Tiffany Sostar

Tiffany is a writer, editor, academic, and animal lover who came late to her appreciation of pets. At 18, a rescue pup named Tasha saved her from a depression and she hasn't looked back. She has worked as the canine behaviour program coordinator for the Calgary Humane Society, and was a dog trainer specializing in working with fearful and reactive dogs for many years. She doesn't have any pets right now, but makes up for it by giving her petsitting clients (and any dogs she comes across on her frequent coffee shop adventures) extra snuggles.

Despite Breed Ban, Toronto Dog Bites Increase

(bestfriends.org)

Despite a breed-based ban culminating in a dramatic drop in the number of pit bull type dogs in Ontario, reported cases of canine bites has increased.

In Toronto, for instance, there were 576 bites in 2004 (a year before the ban) and 767 in 2014, Global News recently reported.

The numbers are not what those who backed the ban would have predicted. 

Indeed, then-Attorney General Michael Bryant, assured the ban was “the beginning of the end of the reign of terror, imposed by pit bulls” and would “over time” mean “fewer pit pull attacks.”

Now, however, the question illustrated by Global News remains – if almost all the pit bulls are gone, why do dog bite numbers continue to climb?

Parkdale-High Park MPP Cheri DiNovo, says it is because the problem was never with pit bulls. “I’m not surprised at all by those statistics,” she told Global. “I would think they were inevitable.”

Under the ban, four breeds often all referred to a'pit bulls' (pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers and American pit bull terriers) had to be kept muzzled or leashed in public and sterilized within two months of its passage and it became illegal to breed the dogs or import them into the province.

There are now just over 300 pit bulls in Ontario compared with more than 1,400 about a decade ago – and in theory, pit bulls should cease to exist in Toronto by 2020.

But as pit bull numbers dwindle, dog bites have continued to climb since 2012. In Toronto, bites hit the highest levels recorded this century in 2013 and 2014.

That is because other dogs do the biting.

In 2014, German shepherds, labs, and Rottweilers were among the top offenders along with little dogs including Jack Russell terriers, shih tzus and Maltese.

Some believe breed-based bans are a practical ploy to improve public safety.

While others, like Teegan Buckingham, with the Toronto Humane Society, say it has punished a particular breed - the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association estimating the law, by 2012, had led to more than 1,000 of the demonized dogs and puppies with no history of violence being euthanized. “We would love to see the pit bull ban lifted,” Buckingham told Global.

DiNovo favours a system similar to Calgary where officials have seen a dramatic drop in bites since the 1980s without a breed-based ban but by promoting education of dog owners, children and strict enforcement.

Bill Bruce, Calgary's animal services director at the time, spoke before an Ontario government committee several years after it imposed its ban to debunk beliefs it would mean less bites.

“What we did learn is that when you do ban a breed, of course, the bites go down for that specific breed; that’s no surprise,” Bruce told the committee. “If there are fewer of them, there are fewer opportunities. But what we found is that bites tend to go up dramatically in other breeds. Any dog, again, can bite, and it’s coming back on the owner to make that determination if a dog is safe or not.”

Dr. Dale Scott, president of the Ontario Veterinary Association at the time, told the committee breed-based bans do not work because they are based on incorrect assumptions not backed by scientific research - “that only certain breeds are dangerous and that all dogs that belong to those breeds are dangerous.”

By Nadia Moharib

Nadia Moharib is an animal lover who has adopted everything from birds to hamsters, salamanders, rabbits, fish and felines. She has written about all-things-pets for years and was a long-time editor of a pet magazine in a daily newspaper which featured a Q & A column, Ask Whit, penned by her pooch (ghost written, of course.) The serial dog owner lives in Calgary, Alberta and most days can be found at a dog park picking up after her rescue pooch, Scoots.

Pit bull attacks prompt 'breed ban' discussions in Calgary

Following three attacks involving pit bulls in the span of a few days in Calgary, some residents are putting pressure on City officials to consider banning the notorious breed. 

The attacks left at least two people injured and one dog dead. But Doug Frizzell, manager of operations for animal and bylaw services, insists the City of Calgary will not implement a breed ban, contending that by-law officers in Calgary encourage education to legislation. 

"Dog owners, in general, are extremely responsible in Calgary," Frizzell told the Calgary Herald. "I don't know what to make of the last couple of days, but it's pretty rare to have this many (cases) in a row." 

Critics of bans on specific breeds argue its not about the breed - all dogs bite. 

"It may be pit bulls this week, but it could be German shepherds the next," said Ward 10 Ald. Andre Chabot. "So which breed do you ban? Where does it end?"


The City of Winnipeg introduced Canada's first ban on pit bulls in 1990 and Ontario introduced its province-wide Pit Bull Ban in 2005. Recent studies have shown a shift towards fewer reported dog bites. 

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National Dog Bite Prevention Week May 19-25

Irresponsible Dog Owners may be endangering others in the community

According to statistics published in the US by the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, dog bites accounted for more than one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims paid out in 2011.


According to the Insurance Information Institute (III) nearly $479 million in claims were paid by insurers.  State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, the largest writer of homeowners insurance in the US, paid out more than $109 million as a result of its nearly 3,800 dog bite claims in 2011.

The III analysis of homeowners insurance data found that the average cost of dog bite claims was $29,396 in 2011, up 12.3 percent from $26,166 in 2010. In fact, from 2003 to 2011, the cost of the average dog bite claim increased by 53.4 percent. The number of claims rose 3.3 percent from 15,770 in 2010 to 16,292 in 2011. These increases can be attributed to increased medical costs as well as the size of settlements, judgments and jury awards given to plaintiffs, which have risen well above the rate of inflation in recent years.

Dog Owner Liability Laws in the US

There are three kinds of law that impose liability on dog owners although not all the laws apply in every state:

Dog-bite statute: The dog owner is automatically liable for any injury or property damage the dog causes, even without provocation.

"One-bite" rule: In some states, the owner is not held liable for the first bite the dog inflicts. Once an animal has demonstrated vicious behavior, such as biting or otherwise displaying a "vicious propensity," the owner can be held liable. Some states have moved away from the one-bite rule and hold owners responsible for any injury, regardless of whether the animal has previously bitten someone.

Negligence laws: The dog owner is liable if the injury occurred because he or she was unreasonably careless (negligent) in controlling the dog. 

To reduce the chances of a dog biting someone, consider taking the following steps:

• Consult with a professional (e.g., veterinarian, animal behaviorist, or responsible breeder) to learn about suitable breeds of dogs for your household and neighborhood.
• Spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it. 
• Use caution when bringing a dog into a home with an infant or toddler. A dog with a history of aggression is inappropriate in a household with children.
• Be sensitive to cues that a child is fearful of or apprehensive about a dog and, if so, delay acquiring a dog. 
• Never leave infants or young children alone with any dog.
• Have your dog spayed or neutered. Studies show that dogs are three times more likely to bite if they are NOT neutered.
• Socialize your dog so it knows how to act with other people and animals.
• Discourage children from disturbing a dog that is eating or sleeping.
• Play non-aggressive games with your dog, such as "go fetch." Playing aggressive games like "tug-of-war" can encourage inappropriate behavior.
• Avoid exposing your dog to new situations in which you are unsure of its response.
• Never approach a strange dog and always avoid eye contact with a dog that appears threatening.
• Immediately seek professional advice from veterinarians, animal behaviorists, or responsible breeders if your dog develops aggressive or undesirable behaviors. 

Most dogs are friendly, loving members of the family but even normally docile dogs may bite when they are frightened or when protecting their puppies, owners or food. Ultimately, the responsibility for properly training and controlling a dog rests with the owner.

State Farm Lists Top Ten States for Dog Bite Claims

It's Not the Breed, It's the Bite


Dog bites are a serious public health problem that can cause both physical and emotional damage to victims and considerable cost to communities.  Each year, almost five million people are bitten or attacked by dogs.

Top 10 states for State Farm Dog Bite Claims in 2010

State - Number of claims/Claims paid (estimated):
1. California - 369 claims/$11.3 million
2. Illinois - 317 claims/$9.7 million
3. Ohio - 215 claims/$5.7 million
4. Texas - 202 claims/$3.7 million
5. Michigan - 166 claims/$5.2 million
6. Pennsylvania - 155 claims/$3.9 million
7. Florida - 146 claims/$5.6 million
8. Minnesota - 139 claims/$3.4 million
9. New York - 119 claims/$4.3 million
10. Indiana - 114 claims/$1.8 million

State Farm(R) paid more than $90 million as a result of the nearly 3,500 dog bite claims in 2010. This is one of the reasons that State Farm recognizes National Dog Bite Prevention Week, sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association during the week of May 15 - 21.

The Insurance Information Institute (III) estimates that in 2009, insurers across the country paid more than $412 million in dog bite claims.

A dog's tendency to bite depends on such factors as heredity, obedience training, socialization, health, and the victim's behavior. There are good dogs and bad dogs within every breed, just as there can be responsible and irresponsible owners of each breed. State Farm *does not refuse insurance based on the breed of dog a customer owns but does require policyholders to answer questions about their dogs' history on a homeowner insurance application.

* The state of Ohio has determined that the pit bull meets the definition of a "vicious dog". As a result, the owners of pit bulls or any American Staffordshire terrier mix are subject to specific requirements to protect the public from injury by these animals. State Farm does not provide coverage under its homeowner's policy in the state for this breed of dog.

Children are frequent victims of dog bites. In fact, 60 percent of all dog bite victims are children under the age of 12. Tragically, of the 33 dog bites that resulted in death last year, 20 of these fatalities were young children.

In addition to stressing responsible pet ownership, State Farm encourages responsible behavior and caution around dogs, including family pets. Under the right circumstances, any dog might bite.

NEVER leave a baby or small child alone with a dog. Be on the lookout for potentially dangerous situations. Start teaching young children -- including toddlers -- to be careful around pets.Children must be taught NOT to approach strange dogs. Always ask permission from a dog's owner before petting any dog.

For more information about dog bite prevention, visit the State Farm Learning Center or the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Interview opportunity:
Media outlets interested in interviewing dog bite victim Alex Ramsey and her mother Michele should contact State Farm Media Specialist Heather Paul at 309-766-0922 or via email at heather.paul.jaw8@statefarm.com.

Video:
Visit the State Farm Newsroom and click on the video tab for interviews with two children that were attacked by dogs and required reconstructive surgery to repair the facial injuries. Additional video footage from the interviews is also available at the newsroom.

About State Farm(R)

State Farm insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. Our 17,800 agents and more than 66,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts ? more than 79 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 34 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com(R) or in Canada statefarm.ca(R).

SOURCE State Farm

For further information: Heather Paul, State Farm Corporate Public Affairs, +1-309-766-0922, heather.paul.jaw8@statefarm.com