Dog Bites By The Numbers In Indianapolis

The folks at the Feral Bureau of Indiana aren't happy at all with Mayor Greg Ballard's decision to terminate Indianapolis Animal Care & Control Director Doug Rae. They point to comments Public Safety Director Mark Renner has made about Rae's tenure suggesting that his actions since taking control of the agency at the beginning of the year have posed public safety concerns. In other words, the number of dangerous dogs roaming around the City randomly biting Indianapolis residents has gotten worse under Rae's tenure. His critics blame that on his decision to move two dog catchers to the City and his aggressive adoption policy, which they claim has resulted in dangerous dogs making it back out into neighborhoods. Greg Brush of the Feral Bureau of Indiana takes issue with those claims, pointing to some striking statistics. He cites statistics that show you are more likely to get raped, become the victim of an aggravated assault or have your car stolen that getting bitten by a dangerous dog:

In 2008, you were:

450% more likely to have your vehicle stolen than to receive a “minimal” dog bite

720% more likely to be the victim of aggravated assault than receive a “moderate” dog bite

270% more likely to be raped than receive “serious” dog bite.

By category, in 2008 there were 1,423 reported cases of "minimal" dog bites, 712 "moderate" dog bites and 165 involving "serious" dog bites. But those dog bite numbers are from 2008 before Rae took charge of IACC you might say. "So far this year, there are 55 fewer reported dog bites from the same time in 2008 (a 5% decrease)," Brush says. "At the same time, IACC has responded to over 2,000 more service calls this year than last, an 11% increase. By the available statistics, IACC's performance has improved over 2008," he continues. Brush points out that the serious dog bite cases reported in 2009 primarily involved owned dogs and not dogs roaming freely where IACC can be accused of not doing its job. Renner counters those numbers with his own. He says the number of animals impounded at the county shelter so far this year is down 1,837 compared to 2008 and complains that response times have increased by more than 9 hours. At the same time, Renner complains that overtime for shelter workers is up 26%. What's the old saying? "Numbers never lie but liars always figure." I'll let you be the judge as to whose numbers should be believed.


Brush is quick to point out who was standing behind Renner at his announcement today. Representatives from Indy Feral and the Human Society, two organizations he has accused of plotting to oust Rae from day one and meeting in private with Public Safety officials to that end. "Unfortunately, they don't have the integrity to voice their concerns publicly, only through underhanded, end-run manipulation through their pet City-County Councilors," Brush writes. "These organizations also have a vested financial stake in controlling the city's shelter," he continues. "These organizations were mentioned during Rae's firing." "So it was very appropriate that the architects of this clandestine effort would be present to relish their accomplishment," Brush concludes.