Dangerous Dog Breeds
In the state of Washington, there are laws that deal specifically with dogs deemed “dangerous.” However, Washington law does not directly reference specific dog breeds. The reality is that there are certain dog breeds that are responsible for more bites and attacks than others. Here, we want to discuss dangerous dog breeds as well as the importance of working with an attorney if you have sustained a dog bite injury.
Dangerous Dogs: Natural or Environmental
In order to properly define a “dangerous dog,” we have to examine several factors. First of all, the term “dangerous” can be subjective in and of itself. When most people think of dangerous dogs, they think of larger breeds that can inflict significant damage with a single bite or an attack with multiple bites. However, smaller dogs can also be incredibly aggressive and cause injuries.
If you conduct your own research into the most dangerous dog breeds, you will usually see articles that specifically state that no dog breed is inherently dangerous, though there are other studies that say some breeds exhibit more aggression than others.
A study from Scientific Reports says that male dogs are more aggressive than female dogs. The study also says that dogs who spend most of their time in the company of other dogs are less aggressive overall.
The eternal debate will rage as to whether dogs become aggressive as a result of their external environment or as a result of the breed of dog. Certainly, external factors such as abuse and neglect contribute to individual dogs’ outward behavior. However, we do have to acknowledge that certain breeds of dogs have been banned from municipalities or by individual tenants and landlords.
Top Dangerous Dogs
Perhaps the best place to examine a “dangerous dogs” list is a recent study by Forbes Advisor. This list examined the most common dog breeds on homeowners’ insurance companies’ banned list. This includes:
- Dobermans
- Pit bulls
- Rottweilers
- Chow Chows
- Presa Canarios
- Akitas
- German Shepherds
- Huskies
- Mastiffs
- Alaskan Malamutes
- Bullmastiffs
The reason we looked at insurance carriers’ banned dog breed lists is due to the fact that insurance carriers are well attuned to dog bite incidents. Dog bite injuries are one of the most common claims made against homeowners insurance policies, and these insurance carriers know that dog bite incidents can lead to extensive payouts, particularly when it comes to covering medical expenses as well as legal fees for defending claims. If an insurance carrier sees a risk, they will take steps to mitigate those risks. This includes banning certain breeds of dogs.
Call an Attorney After a Dog Bite Occurs
If you or somebody you care about has sustained an injury caused by a dog in Washington, we encourage you to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. The dog bite lawyers at Colburn Law have a track record of success when it comes to recovering compensation on behalf of clients in these situations. We work diligently to recover money for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages.