Deconstructing a Dog Bite Media Report

Those of us who study dog bite incidence look for underlying patterns of human behaviors, environment, and canine characteristics that manifest themselves in every attack. And, as insinuated, these patterns do exist, although it is not yet certain that they paint a complete picture of any bite incident nor is it apparent that any one factor necessarily causes a dog to bite. 


What is clear, however, is that media reports consistently lack information necessary for researchers and viewers/readers alike to decipher the "why" element of a dog bite.  


Perhaps more harmful than the blood-and-guts stories that weave bias into these "fair and balanced" reports are the details that are left out - and there are a lot of them. Now, I understand that a reporter cannot always gather all pieces of pertinent information before the story itself becomes untimely and, consequently, obsolete. But it is possible for the reporter to indicate that the information is relevant, but missing. 


From Theory to Practice 


Below is a new story, featured yesterday, here. I do not intend, by my deconstruction, to minimize the tragedy or seriousness of events like this, because I do take them very seriously. I merely wish to point out the rich details that are reported juxtaposed with gaping factual holes left unfilled - holes that, to the average reader, go unnoticed as hypothetical information is classified as irrelevant to understanding. My comments are in red.  


LAKE MARY, Fla. -- A Seminole County family is mourning the loss of a pet after they say a pack of pit bulls [Breed ID is never a necessary or relevant piece of information in a dog bite story. Further, there are no photographs or any other indication of how "breed" identity was confirmed; thus, it should not be included as a fact in this story] attacked and killed their dog.

The scene was so chaotic that a Lake Mary police officer actually shot two of the pit bulls to death.

Authorities say three pit bulls ran loose [this IS a relevant piece of information - already we see an irresponsible owner played the principal role in this incident] and grabbed a Bedlington Terrier named Chewy. [But what the story fails to tell us is whether Chewy was off his leash or, really, anything about Chewy's location or actions immediately preceding the attack]. 

"There's a lady out here. She's being attacked by a bunch of dogs. She's screaming. There's blood. She's asking for help, but I'm not going over there," a frightened 911 caller said, too scared to leave her home.[C'mon now, really? In a side bar? This fact is irrelevant, used only to provoke emotion and sensationalize the incident; it's also inaccurate, as no woman was attacked. Thanks, media, for detracting from the solemn, serious nature of this tragedy by turning it into entertainment].

The pit bulls' owner tried to stop the attack but could not.[So, did the dogs escape their yard, were they leashed, how and why was the owner present?]

"The next door neighbor was trying to get her dog off of my dog and couldn't do it," said James Brabb, Chewy's owner.

"The three pit bulls, once they got the pack mentality going, they mauled my dog," he said. [Again, extraneous fact, and problematic because it represents that Chewy's owner possesses some sort of authoritative opinion on canine behavior, pit bull behavior in particular. This certainly is not "unbiased" reporting]. 

Two of the three pit bulls involved in the incident were shot to death by the officer responding to the scene because they got aggressive with him. The offer said he hit the dogs with a baton, but to no avail.

"As the dogs aggressively approached me, I was in fear for my safety," the officer wrote in the report.

Brabb says Chewy did hold on until his daughter came home from school.

"When Chewy heard her voice, he kind of picked his head up a little. His breathing picked up. Within a minute it had stopped. He had passed. I think he was waiting for her to say goodbye," Brabb said.

Animal services said a citation would be issued. Lake Mary police say it has answered eight complaints about the home since June. [YIKES! eight complaints! And none of these prior incidents resulted in a bite. The owner irresponsibility factor is now off the charts, and we can see the system of laws designed to protect people and their dogs has failed; Chewy should be alive, because these dogs should have been taken from their owners, and the owners heavily cited, months ago]. 

Even now, the surviving dog cannot be declared vicious.[And, should not, without proof that this dog itself was actually one of Chewy's attackers. Simply because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time is not good enough for me, especially when a dog's life is in the balance. It's also not good enough for the law in many jurisdictions, including here in WA state]. 

"Florida statutes require that the animal be involved in more than one attack before we can deem the dog dangerous," said Morgan Woodward with Seminole County Animal Services.

No one answered the door Wednesday at the home where the pit bulls lived.


What else is missing? 


Other than the missing information I indicated in red when appropriate, the following facts were not present or accounted for in this report.Simply indicating the unavailability of the information below would allow readers to recognize that the story is lacking information critical to a full understanding of the incident. 


1. Where did this incident occur (one someone's property, on the street)? 


2. Were the dogs altered?


3. Where did the dogs primarily reside (outside, inside, chained, penned)?


4. Has the owner received any other animal-related citations?


5. Had Chewy had any prior contact with these dogs? 


6. Had the dogs been involved in any prior incidents with humans or other dogs 


7. Were the dogs ill or injured at the time of the incident? 


Conclusion


Chewy's death was tragic - and more so because it could have been prevented. We must champion for stricter, breed-neutral laws that target irresponsible owners - laws that speak to the confinement, care, and living conditions of the dogs in our communities. 


We must also always remember that the information we do not know about a serious dog bite is as important as the information that we do know. Tens of millions of dogs live in the US peacefully, and without incident. We cannot hope to fully understand and thus prevent dog attacks unless we have a complete set of information concerning these incidents. 


Hold media accountable. 
Make your voice heard.