2007's Top 10 Biting Breeds - Florida

Saturday, March 8, 2008
2007's Top 10 Biting Breeds, Florida
Miami, FL - To reinforce the current debate regarding a Florida state proposed law to ban dangerous breeds, two counties have released dog bite data. What is important to remember when looking at dog bite statistics is to understand, What constitutes a bite?

Under most state law "one bite" is equivalent to breaking the skin and or, puncturing the skin. A single puncture wound from a terrier dog is statistically counted the same as a single pit bull attack, which may leave 50 puncture wounds and broken bones.

Though state laws define "severe injury" -- any physical injury that results in broken bones, multiple bites, or disfiguring lacerations requiring sutures or reconstructive surgery -- states do not track severe injury by breeds. Most states fail to track the number of bites that result in severe injury at all.

Miami Dade County Animal Control: 992 bites
Miami Dade County has had a pit bull ban in place for nearly 2 decades.

1. Terrier: 108
2. Labrador mix: 95
3. Shepherd mix: 90
4. Mixed breed: 81
5. German shepherd: 53
6. Chow mix: 50
7. Boxer: 39
8. Rottweiler: 33
9. Pit bull: 32
10. American bulldog: 30

Broward County Animal Control: 616 bites
Broward County does not have a pit bull ban.

1. Pit bull: 182
2. Labrador retriever: 50
3. German shepherd: 40
4. Rottweiler : 36
5. Shepherd: 29
6. Chow chow: 23
7. Bulldog: 17
8. Boxer: 14
9. Unknown (mixed): 14
10. Jack Russell Terrier: 13

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