Dog bite fatalities ::

DogsBite.org contains verifiable information about U.S. citizens killed by dogs including the name and age of each victim, location of attack, involved dog breed(s) and up to 25 other factors.1

Fatality data set impacted by Covid (2020-2024)

2024 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

2024 U.S. dog bite-related fatalities are currently being reviewed.

2023 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

2023 U.S. dog bite-related fatalities are currently being reviewed.

2022 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities | See: 2022 Covid Impact Report

In 2022, our nonprofit recorded 56 dog bite fatalities (CDC=98). 21% were child victims (≤ 9) and 73% were adult victims (≥ 30). 64% were multi-dog attacks, of which pit bulls were involved in 64%.2

2021 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities | See: 2021 Covid Impact Report

In 2021, our nonprofit recorded 53 dog bite fatalities (CDC=81). 36% were child victims (≤ 9) and 51% were adult victims (≥ 30). 58% were multi-dog attacks, of which pit bulls were involved in 68%.2

2020 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities | See: 2020 Covid Impact Report

In 2020, our nonprofit recorded 47 dog bite fatalities (CDC=62). 32% were child victims (≤ 9) and 55% were adult victims (≥ 30). 45% were multi-dog attacks, of which pit bulls were involved in 67%.2

15 year fatality data set (2005-2019)

2019 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2019, 48 dog attacks resulted in human death: 13 child victims, 3 victims (ages 10-18) and 32 adult victims. The state of California had the most dog bite-related fatalities in 2019 with 9 deaths.

2018 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2018, 36 dog attacks resulted in human death: 15 child victims and 21 adult victims. The states of Florida and North Carolina had the most fatal dog attacks in 2018, each with 4 deaths.

2017 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2017, 39 dog attacks resulted in human death: 15 child victims and 24 adult victims. The state of Ohio had the highest number of dog bite-related fatalities in 2017 with 4 deaths.

2016 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2016, 31 dog attacks resulted in human death: 13 child victims and 18 adult victims. The state of California had the highest number of dog bite-related fatalities in 2016 with 6 deaths.

2015 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2015, 36 dog attacks resulted in human death: 14 child victims and 22 adult victims. The state of Texas had the highest number of dog bite-related fatalities in 2015 with 5 deaths.

2014 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2014, 43 dog attacks resulted in human death: 19 child victims, 1 victim (ages 10-18) and 23 adult victims. The state of Texas had the most dog bite-related fatalities in 2014 with 7 deaths.

2013 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2013, 32 dog attacks resulted in human death: 18 child victims and 14 adult victims. The state of California had the highest number of dog bite-related fatalities in 2013 with 5 deaths.

2012 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2012, 39 dog attacks resulted in human death: 19 child victims and 20 adult victims. The states of California, Ohio and North Carolina had the most fatal dog attacks in 2012, each with 4 deaths.

2011 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2011, 31 dog attacks resulted in human death: 13 child victims and 18 adult victims. The states of California and Texas had the most fatal dog attacks in 2011, each with 4 deaths.

2010 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2010, 34 dog attacks resulted in human death: 20 child victims and 14 adult victims. The state of California had the highest number of dog bite-related fatalities in 2010 with 7 deaths.

2009 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2009, 32 dog attacks resulted in human death: 19 child victims, 1 victim (ages 10-18) and 12 adult victims. The state of Texas had the most dog bite-related fatalities in 2009 with 5 deaths.

2008 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2008, 24 dog attacks resulted in human death: 16 child victims and 8 adult victims. No single state led fatal dog attacks in 2008. Seven states each incurred 2 dog bite-related deaths.

2007 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2007, 34 dog attacks resulted in human death: 16 child victims, 2 victims (ages 10-18) and 16 adult victims. The state of Texas had the most dog bite-related fatalities in 2007 with 7 deaths.

2006 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2006, 30 dog attacks resulted in human death: 12 child victims, 1 victim (ages 10-18) and 17 adult victims. The state of Texas had the most dog bite-related fatalities in 2006 with 6 deaths.

2005 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2005, 29 dog attacks resulted in human death: 14 child victims, 2 victims (ages 10-18) and 13 adult victims. The state of California had the most dog bite-related fatalities in 2005 with 4 deaths.

Download: DogsBite.org Statistical Data and Research Findings Are Trusted
Citations
  1. Our Fatality Citations section documents sources used in our dog bite fatality research. Learn more about our data collection method, which includes collecting breed identification photographs, police and coroner reports in certain cases, legal filings, court filings, legislative materials and more.
  2. The annual summaries for the data sets impacted by Covid have our most recent death count information. These summaries may differ slightly from the Covid Impact Report death counts because the report was published before our discovering additional death(s) through new FOIAs.