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Monday, May 12, 2008


11 Years of Police Gunfire: Pit Bulls Top the Charts

72% of Dogs Shot are Pit Bulls
New York, NY - The New York City police department recently submitted a detailed "gunfire" study to New York City Council members. The report covers the years from 1996 to 2006. The data shows that police officers fire their weapons far less than they did a decade ago. It also shows that when dogs are shot, 72% percent are pit bulls. When officers fired at dogs, roughly 55% percent of shots hit home versus 34% when directed at humans.
The substantial number of bullets directed at pit bulls, as opposed to other dogs, illustrates the unique danger pit bulls pose.

1996-2006 dog breeds shot by police

gunfire chart
New York City Police Department

When picked apart, the report shows a remarkable portrait of how the nation’s largest police force, with 36,000 officers, uses its guns. Every shot, from gunfight to accident to suicide, both on and off-duty, is accounted for. The data also shows that the New York City Police Department is the most restrained in the country. So per capita, it is possible that in cities such as Los Angeles and Houston, more pit bulls are shot for public safety reasons.

The only major U.S. cities that will not reflect similar numbers are Denver and Miami, both of which ban pit bull type dogs.

Related articles:
05/17/09: 10 Shots Stop Pit Bull Attack on Pregnant Woman and Officer
06/06/08: Cincinnati Police Kill Two Pit Bulls in Separate Shootings in Same Day

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4 comments:

Anonymous Anonymous  |  5/13/2008 11:21 AM  |  Flag  
Those raging cocker spaniels, murderous pomeranians and deranged poodles must represent MORE than the 14%.

Anonymous Anonymous  |  5/14/2008 9:08 AM  |  Flag  
Excellent study with good info! Also, a 55% hit rate is very good. It's harder to hit a moving pit bull than you might think. Congrats to NYPD.

Anonymous Anonymous  |  1/31/2009 12:52 PM  |  Flag  
I'm using your website to get some laws passed in Florida. Dangerous dog legislation is alive and well here! Yey!!! Keep up the good work!!! It's VERY VERY HELPFUL!!!

Anonymous Anonymous  |  10/17/2009 10:49 AM  |  Flag  
The 14 percent "other breeds" lumps in ALL other breeds and mixed breeds. If you un-lump them you get the hint that the top 3 are the pit bulls Rottwillers and German Shepards. I bet Dobermans are Number 4.

CAUTION: Beware of Nuclear Poodles.

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