Dog Bite Statistics You Should Know
Posted August 14th, 2021 by Anthony Carbone.
Categories: Personal Injury.
Dogs have long been known as a companion for man. With more than 89.7 million dogs owned by 60.2 million households across the United States, it is clear that they are an essential part of many families.
However, cases of mauling and bites from dogs are not new. They can result in severe injuries, some of which can potentially lead to death. While we view dogs as man’s best friend, we should equally understand the risk that comes with dog attacks. If you have been attacked by a dog and believe that you deserve compensation for your injuries, contact a Bayonne Personal Injury Attorney today for assistance.
How dangerous can dogs be? This article highlights some of the key statistics you need to know about dog bites.
How Many People Fall Victim to Dog Bites
A recent survey on dog bite cases in the USA carried out by CDC concluded that there was an average of 4.5 million dog bite victims, which makes up at least 1.5% of the total population. Almost-free 116200 victims are hospitalized in emergency departments every year due to dog bites. This number translates to 898 victims per day. In addition to this, close to 750,000 dog bite victims need medical care every year.
In 2015 alone, there were more than 28,000 reconstructive surgeries done on dog bite victims. Most of the dog bite cases are work-related, with more than 5,900 letter carriers being beaten. Los Angeles recorded the most cases for mail delivery dog bites.
Dog bites are causes of emergency room visits among children engaging in voluntary activities such as sports or playing with animals.
The Number of Human Deaths Caused by Dog Bites
The number of deaths resulting from dog bites in the United States keeps growing. In the 80s and 90s, the average number of annual deaths was 17. The number has grown to 35 over the past 15 years. Out of all the dog bite cases resulting in death, bites from pit bulls come with higher morbidity rates, more expensive hospital bills, and a more significant risk of death than dog bites from other breeds.
The Clifton study indicates pit bulls are the most deadly dog breed, but the molloser breeds are also fatal. It comprises of rottweilers, pres canarios, cane corsos, dogo argentinos, shar-peis, boerboels, mastiffs and pitbulls.
Body Parts Bitten
Based on hospital admissions in the United States, dog bite victims hospitalized need treatments for skin and underlying tissue infections. 22% of them have arm or leg wounds. 10.5% of dog bite victims often nurse wounds on the neck, head, and torso. The remaining percentage of patients has problems, including bone fracture and blood poisoning.
The Financial Impact of Dog Bites
Dog bite victims in the United States lose over 1 billion dollars and monetary value annually. On average, inpatient costs of dog bite victims stood at $18200, which is almost double the price of hospitalization due to moderate injuries.
Homeowner’s insurance liability providers lose more than 686 million dollars due to dog-related injuries and dog attacks, with an average claim costing 37051 dollars.
