According to recent dog bite statistics, in 2022 there will be nearly 100 million dog bites worldwide, with approximately 10 million occurring in the United States. Among all age groups, younger children are more likely to be bitten by a neighbor’s or family dog than adults.
Children are also more likely to receive medical attention for dog bites than adults. It is important for adults to supervise the interactions between children and dogs, especially when they are unfamiliar.
If you’ve suffered an injury, seek the guidance of a personal injury attorney to protect your rights and pursue rightful compensation. They can provide expert advice tailored to your case, ensuring your best interests are represented.
Dog Bite Statistics: Everything you need to know
The United States population in 2019 was 328.2 million people. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), approximately 4.5 million people, or 1% of the population, are bitten by dogs every year. About 800,000 of those bites result in medical treatment in the US. Dog bite statistics indicate that there are various reasons why dogs bite:
- Dogs may become dangerous owing to stressful situations
- They may bite when they are startled or scared
- Dogs may also bite when they are hungry or unwell
- When dogs find that their owners are not safe, they may react differently
All these points must be kept in mind when you are around a dog. Further, keeping dog bite statistics in mind can ensure that you are alert, potentially preventing a dangerous canine attack.
Dog Bite Statistics By Breed And State With The Highest Fatality Rate
Every dog bite attack is different, and the unique factors in each dog bite attack must be carefully evaluated. Following are some facts about dog bites and breeds:
- Approximately 77% of all dog attacks were by pitbulls, rottweilers, and wolf hybrids.
- Moreover, these three breeds accounted for 81% of attacks among adults. In addition, these three breeds were responsible for 68% of all fatal dog bites in the US and Canada.
- Full-blooded pitbulls caused 207 fatalities, the most fatalities recorded during the study period.
- Rottweilers were second at 78, huskies were third at 22, and wolf hybrids came up fourth with 19 deaths.
- Other breeds responsible for fatal bites were bullmastiffs, German shepherds, Akitas, chows, and Doberman pinschers.
All contributing factors from a dog bite incident must be considered to build a strong legal case. Following, we’ll detail dog bite fatalities by breed:
- Pitbulls – 284 deaths
- Rottweiler – 45 deaths
- German Shepherd – 20 deaths
- Mixed Breeds – 17 deaths
- American Bulldog – 15 deaths
- Mastiff – 14 deaths
- Siberian Husky – 13 deaths
- Unknown/unreleased – 11 deaths
- Labrador Retriever – 9 deaths
- Boxer – 7 deaths
- Doberman pinscher – 6 deaths
Dog Bite Statistics By Breed And State With The Highest Fatality Rate
Dangerous breeds of dogs highlighted in (%)
| Breeds | Total Percentage (%) involved in fatal attacks on humans |
|---|---|
| Pitbull | 65.6% |
| Rottweiler | 10.4% |
| German Shepherd | 4.6% |
| Mixed breed | 3.9% |
| American Bulldog | 3.5% |
| Mastiff/Bullmastiff | 3.2% |
| Husky | 3.0% |
| Unknown/ unreleased | 2.5% |
| Labrador retriever | 2.1% |
| Boxer | 1.6% |
| Doberman pinscher | 1.4% |
| Alaskan Malamute | 0.9% |
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Dog bite statistics by insurance claims
In 2016, there was nearly $600 million spent on insurance claims for dog bite injuries. In the year 2021, the top 10 states in which the insurance claims came into the light were:
- California – 2,026 Claims
- Florida – 1,478 Claims
- Texas – 1003 Claims
- New York – 900 Claims
- Michigan – 892 Claims
- Illinois – 844 Claims
- Pennsylvania – 777 Claims
- Ohio – 792 Claims
- New Jersey – 611 Claims
- Arizona – 489 Claims
1. Which Breeds Have The Strongest Bite?
According to Petscomments.com, breeds that have the strongest bite vary based on PSI (pounds per square inch or pound-force per square inch). Some of the dogs that have the strongest bites are:
- Kangal: 743 PSI
- American Bandogge: 731 PSI
- Dogue De Bordeaux: 556 PSI
- Tosa Inu: 556 PSI
- English Mastiff: 556 PSI
- Cane Corso: 700 PSI
- Dogo Canario: 540 PSI
- Dogo Argentino: 500 PSI,
However, these dog breeds are often well behaved when they are trained or under the guidance of responsible owners.
2. How To Protect Yourself Against The Risk Of Dog Bites?
Dog liability insurance is one way to protect yourself in case a bite occurs. In addition, it will help you if your dog bites someone else. This insurance policy will cover all the costs and other medical expenses of the victim. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the average cost spent due to dog bites is nearly $37,000. About one-third of dog owners use this type of insurance policy.
3. How many people on average have been admitted to hospitals after a dog bite?
Dog bite victims are certainly no strangers to the emergency room. According to statistics published in 2010 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the number of people sent to ERs or hospitals from dog bites has approximately doubled since 1995.
An estimated 316,200 people were treated in US emergency rooms for dog bites in 2008. This equates to nearly 104 ER visits per 100,000 people. Roughly 9,500 people were admitted to hospitals for dog bite treatments, a rate of three people per 100,000.
4. What is the ratio of men and women who are affected by dog bites?
According to the 2010 study by the AHRQ, more men than women visited the ER for dog bites. Men were treated in emergency rooms at a rate of 110 per 100,000, while women were treated at a rate of 98 per 100,000.
The vast majority of dog bite victims are in the younger demographics. Just over 73% of victims going to ERs and 51% of those hospitalized for dog bites were under the age of 45.
5. In which geographic areas are dog bites more prevalent?
- The AHRQ statistics show that most dog bites occurred in rural areas. There were four times as many ER visits for dog bites in rural communities as there were in urban communities.
- Additionally, roughly three times as many rural victims were admitted to hospitals as city victims.
- The study also accounted for geographic regions among dog bite victims going to ERs and hospitals. The highest rate of ER visits was in the Midwest, at nearly 110 per 100,000 people. The next highest rate occurred in the Northeast, where 109 people per 100,000 visited ERs. The lowest rate of ER treatment was in the West, at 93 people per 100,000.
6. Which are the most common injuries caused due to dog bites?
The study also revealed that hospital stays for dog bite victims were approximately 50% more expensive than hospital stays for other types of injuries. Injuries treated in dog bite cases included infections, open wounds, and fractures. Although personal injuries like dog bites are rarely fatal, these attacks are still potentially life-changing in other ways.
7. What is the average cost that dog bite victims have to spend for their medical treatment?
The average cost for dog bite victims was $18,200 per stay. Over 40 percent of these costs were paid through private insurance. The average daily cost for dog bite-related hospitalizations was 150% higher than that for other injury-related hospitalizations. Overall, the aggregate cost for dog-bite inpatient stays reached $53.9 million in 2008.
Have you been Injured by a dog? Contact The Law Offices of Samuel Fishman
To file a dog bite claim, the claimant must prove that another party is at fault for the injury. This may involve proving negligence, recklessness, and/or intentional misconduct.
If you’ve been bitten or attacked, our Philadelphia dog bite lawyers are ready to help. They understand the struggle of filing a personal injury case, as well as what it takes to aggressively pursue compensation for your pain, suffering, and medical bills. Call our law firm now to discuss your case in a free consultation.