News about the Coalition

Data Collection Project

The Coalition found that what was missing in providing resources and information to municipalities was current and accurate data regarding dog bites. The most recent data on a national scale were bite statistics gathered by the Federal Center for Disease Control in 2001. The Coalition consistently found that the need for data was key to making intelligent arguments about dangerous dog legislation and providing accurate information to political decision makers.

A subcommittee was formed to research how to come up with an instrument to accurately report bite statistics within the state of Colorado. The survey was finalized in late December of 2006; a pilot project took place from January through March of 2007; and on July 1, 2007 statewide data collection began. The Coalition partnered with the Colorado Association of Animal Control Officers in collecting and inputting the data.

After a full year of collecting data (July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008), the Animal Assistance Foundation (on behalf of the Coalition) contracted with Corona Research of Denver to do the analysis and to create a report on the findings. A second forum is being planned for February 26, 2009 at which time the report will be discussed. The survey was revised in June 2008 and the data collection project is continuing.

Texas SPCA Invites Coalition Representative to Speak

Nick Fisher, Executive of Table Mountain Animal Center in Golden, Colorado and a participant of the Coalition for Living Safely with Dogs, presented to a conference of the Texas SPCA in March 2008. The Texas group wanted to hear about the accomplishments and procedures of the Coalition, as they are looking to address the issue of dangerous dogs in their own communities. Nick stressed to them the importance of working together to influence legislation.