Overview: Pitbull attacks are not new in Yucatán, with several incidents in 2024 causing severe injuries to both humans and pets.
Characteristics: Pitbulls are often seen as aggressive due to their robust nature, intelligence, and adaptability in various environments. They can reach a height of 50 cm and weigh around 40 kg, with a bite force of up to 500 kg.
Incidents: Over 10 attacks have been recorded in 2024. Notable incidents include:
- Rinconada Chuburná: Two pitbulls escaped and injured three people, including a severely injured elderly woman.
- Piedra de Agua, Umán: A nine-year-old boy was bitten and hospitalized.
- Nora Quintana: An elderly man was severely injured by a pitbull known for previous attacks.
- Los Héroes, Mérida: A pitbull attacked two huskies and their owner.
Historical Context: One of the most brutal attacks occurred in February 2023, involving Carlos Peraza Poot in Ciudad Caucel.
The attack by these dogs was so brutal that the man lost his left arm due to the injuries they caused.
Additionally, the man also sustained wounds that left bite marks on his buttocks, legs, and abdomen.
Due to the injuries, Carlos was hospitalized for two months. He recalled being in a coma for a while and that when he woke up, his arm had been amputated.
As a result of this attack, the owners of the dogs, identified as G.L.V.Q. and C.C.Ch.V., were prosecuted.
That same year, in September, an elderly woman was also attacked by two pitbulls and suffered numerous bites.
Dog attacks, both by pitbulls and other breeds, are not an uncommon problem in Yucatán.
A review of incidents so far this year shows an extensive list of attacks in the state.
This is demonstrated by data provided by the federal Ministry of Health (SSA).
How many dog bites have been recorded in Yucatán in 2024?
According to the epidemiological surveillance bulletin, up to week 37, which covers from September 8 to 14, there were approximately 3,348 dog bites recorded in the state, surpassing by eight cases those registered in the same period in 2023.
According to the report, with the cases from that week reported to the SSA, which were 112 dog attacks, men have been the most affected by these mammals, with health services attending to 1,708 men for dog bite injuries, while 1,640 women were treated.
Yucatán Leads Dog Attack Statistics in the Peninsula
At the peninsular level, Yucatán leads the statistics for dog bite injuries, with an incidence three times higher than that recorded in Campeche, which had 963 dog bite injuries up to week 37.
Quintana Roo had a rate of 1,356 injuries from dog attacks, meaning Yucatán had double the number of cases compared to the neighboring state.
Additionally, Yucatán had more cases than the combined total of the other two states in the Peninsula.
This indicates that the state records an average of 11 dog bites per day, or approximately one case every two hours.
According to SSA statistics, in 2023, there were 4,481 dog bites recorded in Yucatán; in 2022, there were 3,434; in 2021, there were 2,381; and in 2020, there were 2,108 injuries from dog attacks.
Source: Diario de Yucatan
