Animal And Dog Bites: Dog Bite Statistics:
Dog bites are becoming a major cause for concern in the United States. It is estimated than 2% of the entire American population is bitten by dogs every year, strays and pets included. As a number, the figure stands at approximately 5 million American adults and kids who are bitten by dogs each year.
Various local organizations and also the Center For Disease Control (CDC) issue facts and data about dog bites, which are then published as dog bite statistics by different agencies and entities. According to such dog bite statistics there are about 25 different dog species that account for fatalities from dog bites.
Fatal Dog Bite Statistics
On average, it is estimated that about 12-15 people die each year, because of some problems and infections from dog bites. Of the 25 different dog breeds that cause fatal dog bites, rottweilers and pit bulls cause half of these fatalities, thus these are two very dangerous breeds of dogs.
In as much as 65% of fatal dog bites, the fatality was caused just by one dog attacking and biting the deceased. Around twenty percent of dog bite fatalities are in incidents involving two dogs. Around fifteen percent of the time, the fatality has been caused by an attack of three or more dogs.
Contrary to what people believe, the majority of fatalities from dog bites do not occur on the road or in public places and do not involve wild and stray dogs. In fact, according to dog bite statistics, more than 65% of the time, a fatal dog bite happens with a dog that was left unchained on the owner’s property itself. Unrestrained dogs away from the owner’s premises account for 20% of fatal dog bites and the remainder of the fatal dog bite statistics are made up of dog bites from restrained dogs.
Dogs have always been depicted as chasing after the postman. Well, there are statistics to show that it is true! As many as 3,423 postal service people were attacked and bitten by dogs in the US, in 2003.
Dog Bite Statistics and Children
The leading cause of injury in children is while playing on the playground, with dog bites following a close second. 75% of the time and more, children are bitten by the dog in the face. Children also account for the majority of fatalities because of dog bites.
Miscellaneous Dog Bite Statistics
- Males get bitten by dogs more than females do, with male dogs also biting people more often than female dogs.
- A shocking majority of dog bites are caused by domestic dogs, with strays accounting for a miniscule percentage of dog bites.
- A young dog (between the ages of 1 and 5) is more likely to bite someone than an older dog (6 years and over).
- Pure bred dogs are involved in less biting incidents than mixed breed dogs.
- In 15-20% of dog bite cases, the person was bitten by a dog not familiar to them. The rest of the number is made up of known dogs biting people.
- The insurance industry pays out billions of dollars each year in dog bite related cases. The average insurance claim in 2003, for a dog bite on homeowner’s insurance, was $16,600.
The above dog bite statistics are only of incidents that have actually been reported. Considering that many dog bites do not even get reported to the authorities, the actual dog bite statistics can only be guessed at.
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