Video Siteaccident attorneys - car wrecks, motorcycle crashes, dog bites, workers compensation, defective products - with lawyers in pittsburgh, altoona, ebensburg, erie, and johnstown1-866-9-4EDGAR or 1-866-943-3427
Dog Attack Info 

Dog Bite Statistics

At our law firm, we believe that safety comes first. We've gathered together these dog bite stats to help you understand more about dangerous dog behavior and how to prevent dog bites. With over 60 million dogs in the United States, it's it's important to understand how nearly five million people in the US get bitten by dogs every year.

Unlike drunk driving statistics or other accident stats, there aren't many regulated organizations in charge of gathering dog bite statistics and sharing them with the public. Our law firm has done our very best to collect the most accurate information on dog attacks, dog bite deaths, and more. However, the majority of these statistics have been gathered by individuals and private organizations, so understand that these figures are not always government certified or scientifically obtained.

Finally, it's important to remember that dog bite prevention, first and foremost, comes down to the dog owner. Owners are the ones responsible for following leash laws and other legal restrictions that help keep people safe and stop dangerous dog attacks before they happen.

Dangerous Dog Breed Statistics

Analyzing a sampling of press accounts from Canada and the USA during 1982-2007, researchers pinpointed the dog breeds that are most likely to cause death or serious injury. This research study concluded that, unlike any other breed of dog, Pitbulls attacked adults almost as often as they attacked children. The researchers found that Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and Wolf-Dog Hybrids combined to account for:

  • 77% of attacks that caused bodily harm to the injured dog bite victims.
  • 73% of attacks that harmed children.
  • 83% of attacks that injured adults.
  • 70% of attacks that resulted in death.
  • 77% of attacks that maimed the dog attack victims.

Another study looked at data obtained from incidents where victims were mauled by dogs during 1982-2006 and found that Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Perro de Presa Canario, and their mixes caused 65% of the dog bite deaths during that time period in the United States.

Some sources claim that the six types of dogs commonly identified as the most dangerous or vicious dog breeds are Akitas, Chow-Chows, Doberman Pinschers, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and Wolf-Dog Hybrids.

Another study looked at a selection of 88 dog attacks from 2006-2008 in the United States, with results ranging from recoverable injuries to death. Of those incidents, it was found that:

  • Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and American Bulldogs were responsible for 77% of all deaths.
  • Pit Bulls were responsible for 59% of all deaths.
  • Pit Bulls killed more adults than children.

Dog Bite Victim Statistics

  • Out of the almost five million people bitten by dogs every year in the United States, close to 900,000 require medical attention. Nearly 400,000 of those people are seriously injured by dog bites.
  • Over 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery in 2006 due to dog attacks.
  • People are most often harmed by dogs that they live with. As the number of dogs kept in the home increases, so does the risk of dog bites. Adults living with two or more dogs are five times more likely to be bitten by a dog than those without dogs at home.
  • Adult males are more likely to be bitten by a dog than adult females.
  • Some studies have found that, among all ages of children, the rate of dog bite accidents is highest for those between the ages of 5-9.
  • Children are more likely than adults to require medical attention for their dog bite injuries.
  • In the US, the most frequent victims of dog bite attacks are:

    1. Children
    2. The Elderly
    3. Postal Service Carriers
  • Dog bite victims account for as much as 5% of all emergency room visits in the United States.
  • For older dog bite stats and more, please visit the dog bite statistics page on our Dog Bite Legal Center.

Victim of a Dangerous Dog Bite? Our Law Firm Can Help

If you've been injured by a dangerous dog, you already know about the frustrations caused by dog bite injuries. Medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses pile up fast. On top of all this, you need time to focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

Don't let your dog bite injuries get the best of you. The sooner you contact our dog bite law firm, the sooner you can focus all your energy on your successful recovery while we handle the hassles of the legal system. Get in touch with us today by taking advantage of our free legal evaluation.