Here's a good example of statistics being used to build a non-issue into something fearful. This article says dog thefts are on the rise and then provides a bunch of confusing numbers as proof. But the number that stood out for me is that 224 dog thefts have been reported so far this year. I had to look elsewhere to find out that there are an estimated 77.5 million pet dogs in American homes today. Do the math. That puts the number of dogs reported stolen in 2011 at .0003%, a number so small I don't even know how to say it (three hundredths of one percent?). But the article doesn't say all that. It just says dog thefts are up 32% and then gives tips on how to keep your lovable pooch safe (get 'em micro-hipped).
If in 2009 one person was attacked with a skillet by a neighbor and two people were attacked that way in 2010, attacks by skillet wielding neighbors would be up 100%. Would that mean we should start wearing helmets when we garden?
P.S. I like the pitch at the end of the article to consider adopting a homeless dog, though.
