This month, our injury lawyers covered the story of an 8-year-old girl who was seriously injured by a Rottweiler in an Illinois dog attack. The girl required surgery to reattach her ear and mend her arm, both of which were mangled by the aggressive dog.
Unfortunately, this is not the first Rottweiler attack in Illinois. In fact, the Rottweiler is responsible for more fatal dog attacks in the United States than any other breed in the nation, except for pit bulls. Let’s take a closer look at some Rottweiler facts:
- A 1997 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control found that Rottweilers were responsible for 29 human fatalities in the past 20 years, the second most of any dog breed.
- A 2008 study found that while Rottweilers were not particularly aggressive toward their owners, other dogs, or those familiar to them, they were particularly aggressive toward strangers.
- Many Rottweiler owners report that while the dogs are not a threat to family, the pets can be extremely protective of their owners.
- Poland, Portugal, and Ireland have all banned Rottweilers and consider then a dangerous breed of dog.
- The breed, which originated in Germany, has strong element of watchdog and territorial tendencies.
- Rottweilers are sturdy, well-muscled dogs that are particularly strong for their size.
It is important to note that many Rottweiler enthusiasts believe that the high rate of dog bites associated with the breed is due to the fact that irresponsible owners and dog fighting enthusiasts are attracted to the breed – and that the dog is often trained to be aggressive for cultural reasons. They say that poor owners, neglect, and abuse result in aggressive Rotweilers, not genetics.
Have you or a loved one been injured by a Rottweiler or a Rottweiler mix in Indiana or Illinois? If you believe that the dog attack was the fault of the owner or another party, you may wish to speak with an Indianapolis dog bite attorney. Call Keller & Keller LLP today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
