THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 9, 1994 TAG: 9406090480
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: 940609 LENGTH: CHICAGO
But some animal experts say they're barking up the wrong tree: They say human ignorance of dog behavior, such as a child running up to and hugging a dog, often is to blame for dog bites.
{REST} A study by researchers with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that German shepherds and chow chows were more likely to bite than other breeds.
Also risky were male or unneutered dogs, and - to a smaller degree - dogs belonging to a household with children and those chained in a yard, the researchers reported in the June issue of Pediatrics.
The study involved 178 first-time biters and 178 nonbiting dogs from the same Denver neighborhoods. Most victims were children.
Peter F. Poholik, Chicago's animal control director and board member of the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators, said the study is probably too small for meaningful results and needs to be done in more cities.
He believes, however, that no big dog should be considered safe around a baby, no matter how gentle or well trained the dog.
Shepherds accounted for 34 of the biters, but only 13 of the nonbiters. There were 31 chow chows among the biters and only nine in the nonbiting group.
Another breed substantially more likely to be a biter was the collie; eight collies were among biters and only one was among the nonbiters.
Safest breeds were golden retrievers and standard poodles. Only two goldens were among biters, while 13 were among nonbiters. Four poodles were among nonbiters, while 14 nonbiters belonged to the breed.
There was only one pit bull in the study and it was a nonbiter. New ownership of pit bulls was banned in Denver County in 1989.
CHICAGO - Federal researchers say they've collared some evidence about which kinds of dogs are most likely to bite.
But some animal experts say they're barking up the wrong tree: They say human ignorance of dog behavior, such as a child running up to and hugging a dog, often is to blame for dog bites.
A study by researchers with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that German shepherds and chow chows were more likely to bite than other breeds.
Also risky were male or unneutered dogs, and - to a smaller degree - dogs belonging to a household with children and those chained in a yard, the researchers reported in the June issue of Pediatrics.
The study involved 178 first-time biters and 178 nonbiting dogs from the same Denver neighborhoods. Most victims were children.
Shepherds accounted for 34 of the biters, but only 13 of the nonbiters. There were 31 chow chows among the biters and only nine in the nonbiting group.
Another breed substantially more likely to be a biter was the collie; eight collies were among biters and only one was among the nonbiters.
Safest breeds were golden retrievers and standard poodles. Only two goldens were among biters, while 13 were among nonbiters. Four poodles were among biters, while 14 were among nonbiters.
by CNB