Quick statistics ::
This page is a collection of dog bite statistics that are located on DogsBite.org or can reached by a web link. Notably, each year, an American has a one in 50 chance of being bitten by a dog.1
In the 8-year period from 2005 to 2012, two dog breeds accounted for 73% of the attacks that resulted in death: pit bulls and rottweilers.
2012 Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2013
71% of the pit bull fatalities have occurred in the past 10 years; 42% in the past four years; 24% in the past two years.
Over 600 U.S. cities have adopted breed-specific laws since the mid 1980s, just after pit bulls (fighting dogs) began leaking into the general population.
By 2016, pit bulls are projected to maul 275 Americans to death since 1998, the year the CDC stopped tracking fatal dog attacks by breed.
In the 8-year period from 2005 to 2012, pit bulls killed 151 Americans, about one citizen every 19 days.
2012 Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2013
In 2012, roughly one-third, 32%, of all dog bite fatality victims were either visiting or living temporarily with the dog's owner when the fatal attack occurred.
2012 Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2013
In the 3-year period of 2006 to 2008, 18% of all fatal dog attacks occurred off owner property. Pit bulls were responsible for 81% of these attacks.
Report: U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities January 2006 to December 2008 by DogsBite.org, 2010
In the first eight months of 2011, nearly half of the persons killed by a pit bull was the dog's owner and primary caretaker.
2011 Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2011
Over 30 countries across the world regulate dangerous dog breeds with breed-specific laws including: France, Norway, Spain, Portugal and Great Britain.
In 2011, adult victims of fatal pit bull attacks more than doubled the number of child victims.
2011 Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2012
A study published in 2010 showed there were 4 times as many dog bite-related ED visits and 3 times as many hospital stays in rural areas than in urban areas.
Emergency Department Visits and Inpatient Stays Involving Dog Bites, 2008 by AHRQ, 2010
Pit bull terriers were selectively bred for a violent activity that is now a felony in all 50 U.S. states: dogfighting.
Dogfighting Fact Sheet by the Human Society of the United States
Over 260 U.S. military bases governed by the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Space Command, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and Navy regulate dangerous dog breeds.
Dog attack victims suffer over $1 billion in monetary losses annually. JAMA reports this estimate to be as high as $2 billion.
Dog Bites Recognized as Public Health Problem by R. Voelker, JAMA, 1997
A 2010 study showed that the average cost of a dog bite-related hospital stay was $18,200, about 50% higher than the average injury-related hospital stay.
Emergency Department Visits and Inpatient Stays Involving Dog Bites, 2008 by AHRQ, 2010
Dog bites occur every 75 seconds in the United States. Each day, over 1,000 citizens need emergency medical care to treat these injuries.
Dog bites are the fifth highest reason why children seek emergency room treatment due to activities they voluntarily engage in, such as playing sports.
- Nonfatal Dog Bite-Related Injuries Treated in Hospital Emergency Departments - United States, 2001, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), 2003; 52(26): 605-610.
special reports
Report: U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities January 2006 to December 2008 »
Report: U.S. Police and Citizen Shootings of Pit Bulls 2008 »
Video of Attack Victims: U.S. Pit Bull Attacks in 85-Day Period »
quick statistics
victim voices
recommended read
Fatal Pit Bull Attacks: A growing archive of U.S. fatal pit bull maulings dating back to 1858.
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