Dog bites and attacks have been in the news a lot lately. Statewide, the Arizona Department of Health Services said there was a 139 percent increase in the number of severe dog bite injuries from 2008 to 2012. Maricopa County's figures don't show such a precipitous climb, but whether it's a four-year old boy attacked by the family pit bull or a couple being seriously injured trying to break up a fight between its dogs, how serious is the issue of dog bites?
Melissa Gable is the public information officer for Maricopa County Animal Care and Control and Samantha Spinelle is in charge of Animal Care and Control's Alternative Placement Department. Clive Wynne, professor in Arizona State University's Psychology Department, also gave insights on dog behavior. He is in charge of the Canine Science Collaboratory and studies canine behavior.
