The Pit Bull Paparazzi
a study by the
National Canine Research Foundation
The Assassination of a Breed through Media Bias
August 25, 2007
Consider four separate incidents that happened in the span of a few days…
- August 17, 2007 A Labrador mix attacks a 70-year old man sending him to the hospital in critical condition. Police officers arrived at the scene and the dog is shot after charging the officers. This incident was reported in one article and only in the local paper.
- August 18, 2007 - A 16-month old child receives fatal head and neck injuries by a mixed breed dog. This attack was reported two 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 article and only in the local paper.
- August 21, 2007 - A 59-year-old woman is attacked in her home by two Pit bulls and is hospitalized with severe injuries. This attack was reported in over two hundred and thirty articles in national and international newspapers, as well as major television news networks, including CNN, MSNBC and FOX.
People routinely cite media coverage as “proof” that pit bulls are more dangerous than other dogs. 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
