Why a Walk for Victims?

Here in Tucson, there have recently been several pit bull and other dangerous dog attacks on people and on their pets. 

There is no doubt that public awareness needs to be brought to this issue, as these type of attacks continue to occur. For these victims, there is a long physical recovery period, if the victim does survive the attack; however, the psychological impact of these attacks are often severe and long lasting as well.  One victim speaks of the psychological impact here:

"I usually stay up until 4-5 in the morning because I just can't sleep due to the nightmares. What are the nightmares about? The pit bull attack (my dog) and I experienced. When I close my eyes, I can see that helpless look on (my dog's) face, and when I go to sleep, the attack is played out all over again in my nightmares. I also have nightmares about the pit bull attacking and killing my friends and family, and dreaming about a pit bull tearing my little sister apart is just unbearable."

Below are the most recent attacks perpetrated by pit bulls and other dangerous dogs.

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) A Tucson-area woman is recovering after authorities say she was attacked by two dogs. Northwest Fire Capt. Adam Goldberg tells KGUN-TV (http://bit.ly/xM5lFo) the victim is 89.
The Pima County Animal Care Center says the dogs are pit bulls that escaped from their owner's backyard Wednesday through an unlocked gate.
The sheriff's department says the woman was getting her mail when she was attacked.
Officials say neighbors helped capture the pit bulls. The dogs are in quarantine. (KGUN 9)

http://www.kgun9.com/news/local/142124613.html

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Two dogs viciously attack another canine in Midtown then move on to that canine's owner. Next, they turn on a man rushing to help, leaving the animal lover and Good Samaritan no choice than to take deadly action. The victim in that attack, Marisa Miranda, spoke out to 9OYS. She says the attack has stolen her sense of security.
Miranda owns Bon Bon, a Chow mix. They've been together for the last 12 years. She was used to walking him everyday without incident, until the day of the attack. She says she's now scared to go on walks in the neighborhood.
Earlier in the week, Pima County Animal Care confirmed one of the dogs who attacked Bon Bon and Miranda was a pit bull mix. That dog was shot and killed. The other ran away.

http://www.kgun9.com/news/local/140523843.html

Pit bull attack victim dies

TUCSON - The man who was severely injured when his pit bull savagely mauled him two weeks ago succumbed to his injuries this morning.
A statement from the family of Michael Cook reads:
"We are saddened to inform your news team that around 1:30am this morning Michael Cook succumbed to his injuries and has passed away."
Cook was attacked outside his home on August 3. His 16-year-old son says "Butch," a 6-year-old Pitbuill mix, had just been neutered and was medicated when the attack occurred.
Cook was bitten on his arms, neck, stomach, and leg, and all or part of both his arms were amputated.
Cook's family has established a memorial find on his children's behalf to help with funeral expenses. Donations can be made towards "The Michael Cook Fund."
Pictured: A vintage photo of a young Michael Cook, provided by his family. (KVOA.com)
TUCSON (KGUN9- TV) - Another pit bull attack in Tucson left one man injured and two dogs dead.  Police shot and killed two pit bulls in an East side neighborhood after they attacked an elderly man and his golden retriever early Wednesday morning.
Jim Skevington was walking his dog when two of his neighbors' pit bulls attacked.  Neighbors tried to stop it and called police but the dogs didn't back down. (KGUN 9)

http://www.kgun9.com/news/local/131151728.html

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Another pit bull attack in Tucson---this time on the east side.
The attack injured a woman, and left her dog dead.
The woman was walking her dog at apartments near Golf Links and Pantano Thursday when the pit bull attacked her dog and she tried to protect her pet.
It's the latest in a string of high profile attacks by dangerous dogs. (KGUN 9)

http://www.kgun9.com/news/local/132831913.html

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - A 7 year-old girl went to the hospital for treatment Tuesday night after the family dog bite her on the arm.
Emergency crews responded to the residence located in the 4200 block of East Benson Highway after 6:15 p.m. Tuesday evening.
Deputy Dawn Barkman with the Pima County Sheriff's Department told KGUN9 that the dog, a pit bull mix, left a serious dog bite to the girl's arm. The injury while serious is believed to be non life threatening. (KGUN 9)

http://www.kgun9.com/news/local/139924503.html

Dog Attack Statistics

Victims of serious dog attacks often suffer acute damage, which may require $250,000 to one million dollars in specialized medical care treatment. Reconstructive surgery, such as skin grafting, tissue expansion and scar diminishment, often requires multiple procedures over a period of years. In many instances, insurance and the dog owner pays little of this amount, if any.

Pit bull terriers and Rottweilers are the most dangerous of the dog breeds according to statistics.  Research shows that during the 7-year period from 2005 to 2011, these two breeds accounted for 74% of the total recorded fatal attacks.  By compiling U.S. and Canadian press accounts between 1982 and 2011, a report by Animal People shows that pit bulls (215) and rottweilers (81) and their mixes accounted for 64% of the total recorded fatal attacks, which totaled 466.

It is important to point out that fatal dog attacks committed by pit bulls and their mixes more than doubles the attacks inflicted by rottweilers. It is well documented by experts and humane groups, that pit bulls pose a substantial danger due to their selective breeding for dogfighting. Unlike other dog breeds, pit bulls frequently fail to communicate intention prior to an attack (surprise attacks); possess a lethal bite style (hold and shake) and a ruinous manner of attack (gameness). (Dogsbite.org)

(Chart representing study by Merritt Clifton of Animal People, September 1982-December 2011)

(This study is ongoing and continues to be updated as attacks occur)