Victim of a Dog Bite?
According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 68% of households in the United States own pets. Around 38.4% of households (over 48 million people) are dog owners, which accounts for approximately 90 million dogs in total across the country. While many dogs are very friendly, some can be aggressive and can lead to serious injuries or even death if they attack or bite you.
With this in mind, listed below are some important dog attack and dog bite statistics you should know from the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) and other independent studies’ yearly reports.
Dog Bite Statistics
Across the globe, there are tens of millions of dog bites every year, with around 5 million of them in the US alone. One in every 69 people in the US will fall victim to a dog bite, and dogs that are chained or tethered are on average 2.8 times more likely to bite or attack.
The dog breeds that are most prone to biting include pit bulls, mixed breeds, German Shepherds, terriers, and Rottweilers, while the breeds least likely to bite are Dalmatians, pointers, Great Danes, Pekingese, and Spitz.
Non-Fatal and Fatal Dog Attacks
Each year, around 6,000 postal workers fall victim to non-fatal dog attacks. The most non-fatal attacks occur in the cities of Houston, Los Angeles, San Diego, Cleveland, and St. Louis.
According to DogBite.org, there were 471 fatal dog attacks in the US between the years of 2005 and 2018. Despite representing just 7% of the dog population, pit bulls were responsible for 248 of these attacks.
Dog Bite Prevention
One of the best ways to prevent dog attacks and bites is by getting your dog neutered. Neutering makes male dogs less aggressive, as a dog that isn’t neutered is 2.6 times more likely to bite than a dog that is. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 70% of dog bites are the result of a dog not being neutered.
Dog Bite Injuries
More than 80% of dog bites (about 800,000) do not require any medical attention, and most don’t even puncture the skin, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
That said, some of the most common injuries that victims of dog attacks or bites experience if they do require medical attention include broken or punctured skin, broken bones, eye injuries, head and neck injuries, face injuries, scarring, nerve damage, tissue damage, and emotional trauma.
Contact Our Dog Bite Lawyers at McShane & Brady Today
To schedule a free consultation with our slip and dog bite lawyers in Kansas City, MO, make sure to contact McShane & Brady or fill out the form on our website today. Our team will get back with you within one business day.
McShane & Brady is a personal injury law firm representing those who have been injured through no fault of their own. These include car accidents, slip and falls, trip and falls, dog bites, nursing home neglect, HIPAA violations, and more. If you or a loved one are looking for compassionate, experienced attorneys with a proven track record of success after facing injury, give us a call at 816-888-8010.