American staffordshires are NSW's most attack-prone dog but there may be more to the data

"American staffordshires (Amstaffs) registered in NSW had the highest rate of attacking a child, adult or other dog in 2024, statistics show. But experts warn the data may not show the full picture, because dog breeds can be wrongly identified sometimes deliberately and often not identified at all."

"There were 941 attacks by Amstaffs, with 5,023 of the breed registered, meaning an attack for about every one in five dogs, but if Amstaff crossbreeds are included, there were 6,784 registered and 1,028 attacks one attack for every 6.6 dogs. By comparison, there were 146 attacks by Australian kelpies, with 5,903 registered in NSW, meaning an attack for every 40 dogs. Kelpies were the second-most popular crossbreed in NSW in 2024, behind miniature dachshunds (6,484 registered, 11 attacks, about one for every 600 dogs)."

American Staffordshires registered in NSW had a higher recorded rate of attacks on people and other animals than other breeds in 2024. In over one fifth of the 5,901 recorded attacks no breed was specified. There were 941 attacks by Amstaffs with 5,023 registered (about one attack per five dogs); including Amstaff crossbreeds yields 6,784 registered and 1,028 attacks (one per 6.6 dogs). Australian kelpies recorded 146 attacks from 5,903 registered (one per 40 dogs). More than 270 people required hospital care. Pit bull import bans and state restrictions may incentivize misregistration. The NSW government is reviewing companion animal laws.

Read at www.theguardian.com