Pit Bull Paparazzi: Fear vs. Fact
National Canine Research Council Examines the Pit Bull Paparazzi:
Fear vs. Fact
A study by the National Canine Research Council reveals biased reporting
by the media, its devastating consequences for dogs and the toll it
takes on public safety.
Slanesville, WV (PRWEB) August 25, 2007 -- A study by the National
Canine Research Council reveals biased reporting by the media, its
devastating consequences for dogs and the toll it takes on public
safety.
Consider how the media reported four incidents that happened between
August 18th and August 21st:
August 18, 2007 -
A Labrador mix attacked a 70-year-old man sending him to the hospital
in critical condition. Police officers arrived at the scene and the dog
was shot after charging the officers.
This incident was reported in ONE (1) article and only in the local
paper.
August 19, 2007 -
A 16-month old child received fatal head and neck injuries after
being attacked by a mixed breed dog.
This attack was reported TWO (2) 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 (1) article and only in the local paper.
August 21, 2007 -
A 59-year-old woman was attacked in her home by two Pit bulls and was
hospitalized with severe injuries.
This attack was reported in over two hundred and thirty (230) articles
in national and international newspapers, as well as major television
news networks, including CNN, MSNBC and FOX.
"Clearly a fatal attack by an unremarkable breed is not nearly as
newsworthy as a non-fatal attack by a Pit bull," says Karen Delise,
researcher for the National Canine Research Council.
The National Canine Research Council reports that people routinely cite
media coverage as "proof" that pit bulls are more dangerous than other
dogs. Delise says 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