Dogs—we welcome them into our homes and treat them as if they’re our best friends, with many being elevated to a status as high as any family member. However, when dogs decide to yield to their instincts, dog bite injuries occur. And they occur often. Millions of people each year are bitten by dogs, and some dog bite injuries are quite significant, leaving behind horrific injuries, disfigurements, scars, and emotional trauma. Dogs can turn into maneaters at the drop of a hat, and often without provocation or warning. If you or someone you love has been traumatized by a dog bite attack, you have a right to seek out damages for your loss by filing a dog bite claim. The SMT Legal can help you identify potential defendants in your case and file the necessary paperwork to get your claim started.
Statistics on Dog Bites
The following are relevant statistics on dog bites:
- Approximately 4.7 million people are victims of dog bites per year
- 50 percent of dog bite fatalities are children under the age of 10, with dog bite incidents ranging from minor injuries to serious maulings.
- In the U.S., approximately 100 children are victims of dog bites each day.
- Approximately 92 out of 100 children who are bit by dogs per day require medical attention as a result of the attack.
- In 2012 there were approximately 38 fatalities in the U.S. attributed to dog bites.
- Dog bites are the second leading cause of childhood injury, according to the American Medical Association.
- Pit bulls only make up a small fraction of the dog population in the U.S. (about 1 to 3 percent), but are responsible for more than half of serious dog attacks.
- The breeds most often involved in fatal dog bite attacks are Rottweilers and pit bulls. The most common breeds of purebred dogs involved in biting incidents are German Shepherds and Chow Chows.
- In 2017, homeowner insurers had to pay over $686 million toward dog bite liability claims. This is because a third of homeowner liability policies’ injury claims are due to dog attacks.
- Chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite as opposed to non-chained dogs, according to the CDC.
- Female dogs are less likely to bite than male dogs, particularly male dogs between the ages of 1-5 years. This applies to all dog breeds.
- Non-spayed or neutered dogs are three times more likely to be aggressive than fixed dogs.
