Jack Russells are more likely to bite their owners than any
other breed of dog, according to police.
Data from the city of Liverpool – the second worst area in
the UK for dog attacks – ranked the small terrier as the most likely to bite
humans.
A total of 71 dog attacking incidents were reported to
police over the last 12 months in the city, which ranks only second to Oxford.
Officers were able compile data on the most aggressive dogs
based on reports, with Jack Russell coming out on top.
The terrier, which has its origins in fox hunting, is a
popular dog, but is known for its high energy and considered mainly suitable
for experienced owners.
It topped a list that includes Rottweilers and
Staffordshire bull terriers.
In Liverpool in 2015, Jack Russells were responsible for
six attacks where police could definitely say what the dog was.
Pitbull and Staffordshire bull terrier-type dogs accounted
for five recorded incidents during the year, with German Shepherds accounting
for three.
Elsewhere on the list is the rather surprising addition of
the Daschund.
A recent YouGov study put the worst city in the country for
dog attacks as Oxford, with Liverpool, Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Hull,
Leeds and Wakefield also on the list.
However, Phillip Gower, of solicitors Simpson Millar, which
commissioned the study, said argued breeds have nothing to do with attacks.
He said: “In 20 years working on dog attack cases I haven’t
spotted a trend in the breed of dog that attacks. It’s usually down to the
owner.”
The full list is as follows:
Jack Russell
Staffordshire bull terrier
Pitbull terrier
German shepherd
Rottweiler
Daschund
Boxer
Great Dane
Doberman pinscher
Husky
