What are the Most Dangerous Dogs?

According to the Centers for Disease Control ("CDC") the most dangerous dog breeds include:

• Pit bulls
• Rottweilers
• German shepherds
• Huskies
• Alaskan malamutes
• Doberman pinschers
• Chows
• Great Danes
• Saint Bernards
• Akitas

Many small dog owners ignore their dog's behavior because they are small and think they cannot hurt anyone. The truth is, little dogs bite more than big dogs.

Although there is no way to predict when a dangerous dog will bite, we recommend taking the following into consideration:

Any dog can be a good, loving pet, even if its considered a dangerous dog and likely to bite. A responsible owner will win a dog’s respect by showing the dog love and respect, no matter its breed. You cannot determine, by breed alone, whether or not it is going to attack.

What Should I Do If Attacked?

A dog attack can occur when a dog encounters a visitor or stranger or when they want to protect their home or "pack" (which includes it's owners).

Here are some tips to protect yourself:

• Avoid eye contact with an aggressive dog.
• If you are jogging, stop jogging and walk by the dog, avoiding eye contact and sudden movement.
• Avoid the temptation to fight or argue with the owner of an aggressive dog, this may bring on an attack.
• If a dog approaches growling or barking, stand tough. Command the dog to "Sit", "Stay" or "Lay Down". A dog is more likely to listen to the same command as his owner.
• Be sure to keep your hands down to avoid provoking a dog attack.
• If the dog attack is by a small dog, kick it in its nose or body. This will stop most small dog attacks.
• If the dog attack is by a large dog, take a fighting stance. Protect your inner body by putting one leg in front of the other. If you are strong, use your foot as a weapon. If you lose your balance and fall, however, you will lose your height advantage over the dog.
• Punch the dog in the nose as hard as you can, twist or pull the dog's ears, or poke him in the eyes.
• Kick a dog in the rib cage. This may knock the wind out of him and stun him long enough to make him think twice. Yell for help.
• Pit Bulls are well-known for dog attacks. When a pit bull attacks, their first instinct is to grab and hold on. It is to your advantage to remain standing, however if you find yourself falling to the ground, curl your body up into the fetal position and cover your ears and the back of your neck with your hands and arms.
• If a dog appears to be confused, biting at stationary objects, looks a bit crazy or wild-eyed or if a thick ropy saliva is covering it's chest, it may have rabies. If you encounter a dog with rabies, call the police.

Who is Liable /New York Dog Bite Law

New York State has a "one bite rule". Under this dog bite law, a dog is allowed one mistake. Meaning, the owner cannot be held responsible for the dog’s first bite or injury to another, unless the owner was negligent in his actions to control the dog. Likewise, if the owner was in violation of various dog laws such as requiring a leash, the injured may have recourse.

The "one bite rule" does not allow one free bite to a dog that has a tendency to be dangerous. This means, if the dog bite victim can prove that the dog has a dangerous nature and the owner knew or should have known of the dog's dangerous behavior, then the one bite rule will not apply.

Examples of dangerous propensity are:

• The dog has a tendency to snap at people.
• The owner often tells people his dog is an attack dog.
• The dog owner cautions others that his dog bites.
• The dog wear a muzzle

Once liability is determined, the next step is to find out as much as you can about the dog and the owner, including whether or not the owner has insurance. Types of insurance policies that typically cover dog bites include:

• Homeowner's insurance;
• Renter's insurance;
• Landlord's insurance (covering the owner, occupier and/or manager of property);
• Commercial general liability insurance (covering stores and other businesses);
• Insurance covering employers (protecting employees only); and
• Motor vehicle insurance.