Pit Bull Paparazzi: Fear vs. Fact

[Sardo]

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/08/prweb549276.htm

National Canine Research Council Examines the Pit Bull Paparazzi: Fear vs. Fact
A study by the National Canine Research Council reveals biased reporting by the media, its devastating consequences for dogs and the toll it takes on public safety.

Slanesville, WV (PRWEB) August 25, 2007 -- A study by the National Canine Research Council reveals biased reporting by the media, its devastating consequences for dogs and the toll it takes on public safety.

Consider how the media reported four incidents that happened between August 18th and August 21st:

August 18, 2007 -
A Labrador mix attacked a 70-year-old man sending him to the hospital in critical condition. Police officers arrived at the scene and the dog was shot after charging the officers.

This incident was reported in ONE (1) article and only in the local paper.

August 19, 2007 -
A 16-month old child received fatal head and neck injuries after being attacked by a mixed breed dog.

This attack was reported TWO (2) times by the local paper only.

August 20, 2007 -
A 6-year-old boy is hospitalized after having his ear torn off and receiving severe bites to the head by a medium-sized mixed breed dog.

This attack was reported in ONE (1) article and only in the local paper.

August 21, 2007 -
A 59-year-old woman was attacked in her home by two Pit bulls and was hospitalized with severe injuries.

This attack was reported in over two hundred and thirty (230) articles in national and international newspapers, as well as major television news networks, including CNN, MSNBC and FOX.

"Clearly a fatal attack by an unremarkable breed is not nearly as newsworthy as a non-fatal attack by a Pit bull," says Karen Delise, researcher for the National Canine Research Council.


The National Canine Research Council reports that people routinely cite media coverage as "proof" that pit bulls are more dangerous than other dogs. Delise says costly and ineffective public policy decisions are being made on the basis of such "proof". While this biased reporting is not only lethal to an entire population of dogs; sensationalized media coverage endangers the public by misleading them about the real factors in canine aggression.
About The National Canine Research Council
The National Canine Research Council investigates all reported cases of fatal dog attacks in the United States. Serious analysis and discussion of canine aggression cannot be conducted from information acquired from media sources.

For accurate and in depth information on verified cases of fatal dog attacks and the circumstances contributing to these incidents, please go to the National Canine Research Council at: www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com

[Rajah]

Very interesting Brian. I've always wondered on the statistics on things like that. I know there are hundreds of dog "attacks" each year, but sadly, we only hear about the pit bulls.

[Sardo]

Check out the link www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com

There's alot of good info on there.

[Team Chloe]

a muscular, high jumpin ASBT at the Reno Event.....went 22.5' and I think maybe even one over 23!! Second event...and came in third in the pro finals behind Salix and Tinka!!!

I have some great pics...will post later...

[deedclemdogg]

Brian that is interesting information and sad too. I'm not surprised by it though--and that's a sad reflection on society.

I do know that the two meanest and most violent dogs I ever met were not pitbulls. One was a golden retriever that came into my yard and attacked my dog Smoke when he was just a young dog. The other was a black lab that came up behind me and bit me on the backside of my knee. Both events were not provoked by myself or Smoke. Both dogs were owned by people in town and just allowed to roam the neighborhood at will.

[Sardo]

I really like this part about dog bites.

It is important to emphasize that the breed of dog is never the sole determining factor in a fatal dog attack. A fatal attack is always the culmination of past and present events that include: inherited and learned behaviors, genetics, breeding, socialization, function of the dog, physical condition and size of dog, reproductive status of dog, individual temperament, environmental stresses, owner responsibility, victim behavior, victim size and physical condition, timing and misfortune.

[huklbre]

Thanks for the site Brian. I look forward to passing it on to people I know that think the way the media tells them to think.