Dog Bites Stats
Severe dog bite injury statistics
Our data were consistent with others, in that an operative intervention was more than 3 times as likely to be associated with a pit bull injury than with any other breed.
Characteristics of 1616 Consecutive Dog Bite Injuries at a Single Institution, by by Golinko et al., Clinical Pediatrics, July 2016
Our data revealed that pit bull breeds were more than 2.5 times as likely as other breeds to bite in multiple anatomical locations.
Characteristics of 1616 Consecutive Dog Bite Injuries at a Single Institution, by by Golinko et al., Clinical Pediatrics, July 2016
Most alarming is the observation that when attacks come from unfamiliar dogs, the pit bull was responsible for 60% and 63% of all injuries and ocular injuries, respectively.
Ocular Trauma From Dog Bites: Characterization, Associations, and Treatment Patterns at a Regional Level I Trauma Center Over 11 Years, by Prendes et al., Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, June 2015
Of the more than 8 different breeds identified, one-third were caused by pit bull terriers and resulted in the highest rate of consultation (94%) and had 5 times the relative rate of surgical intervention.
Dog bites of the head and neck: an evaluation of a common pediatric trauma and associated treatment, by O'Brien et al., BS, American Journal of Otolaryngology, January–February, 2015
Unlike all other breeds, pit bull terriers were relatively more likely to attack an unknown individual (+31%), and without provocation (+48%).
Dog bites of the head and neck: an evaluation of a common pediatric trauma and associated treatment, by O'Brien et al., BS, American Journal of Otolaryngology, January–February, 2015
Although a number of dog breeds were identified, the largest group were pit bull terriers, whose resultant injuries were more severe and resulted from unprovoked, unknown dogs.
Dog bites of the head and neck: an evaluation of a common pediatric trauma and associated treatment, by O'Brien et al., BS, American Journal of Otolaryngology, January–February, 2015
In this series, dogs causing the injury were overwhelmingly familiar with the patient: 53% of dogs belonged to the family ... In our series (as in Philadelphia), Pit bulls were most commonly responsible.
Morbidity of pediatric dog bites: A case series at a level one pediatric trauma center, by Garvey et al., Journal of Pediatric Surgery, February 2015
Attacks by pit bulls are associated with higher morbidity rates, higher hospital charges, and a higher risk of death than are attacks by other breeds of dogs.
Mortality, Mauling, and Maiming by Vicious Dogs, by Bini et al., Annals of Surgery, April 2011
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Dog bite-related fatality statistics
In 2016, pit bulls accounted for 71% of all deaths, just over 7 times more than the next closest dog breed.
2016 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2017
In 2016, family dogs inflicted 45% of all dog bite fatalities. Family pit bulls accounted for 86% of these deaths.
2016 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2017
In 2016, 42%, of all dog bite fatality victims were either visiting or living temporarily with the dog's owner when the fatal attack occurred.
2016 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2017
In the 12-year period of 2005 to 2016, pit bulls mauled to death 254 Americans, about one citizen every 17 days.
12-Year U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Chart (2005 to 2016) by DogsBite.org, 2017
In the 12-year period of 2005 to 2016, two dog breeds accounted for 76% of the attacks that resulted in death: pit bulls and rottweilers.
12-Year U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Chart (2005 to 2016) by DogsBite.org, 2017
From 2005 to 2016, 46% of all fatal attacks involved more than one dog. Attacks involving pit bulls contributed to 72% of these deaths.
Discussion Notes - 2016 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2017
From 2005 to 2016, only 20% of all deaths resulted in criminal charges. Pit bulls accounted for 74% of these criminal cases.
Discussion Notes - 2016 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2017
By 2020, pit bulls are projected to maul 385 Americans to death since 1998, the year the CDC stopped tracking fatal dog attacks by breed.
Fatalpitbullattacks.com, 2017, Nonprofits Urge CDC to Resume Tracking Richer Data Set for Children and Adults Disfigured, Maimed and Killed by Dogs, DogsBite.org, 2014
In 2015, Pit bulls contributed to 82% (28) of the total recorded deaths, the highest fatality count on record for the breed.
2015 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2016
In 2015, the combination of pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 91% of all dog bite-related fatalities.
2015 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2016
In 2015, 9% of the attacks resulting in death were inflicted by dogs rehomed by county operated shelters or rescues.
2015 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2016
2015 marked the first time a medical examiner ruled "suicide" as the manner of death in a fatal dog mauling.
2015 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2016
In 2014, loose dogs off their owner's property inflicted 40% of all fatal attacks, a sharp rise from the 10-year average of 24% (2005 to 2014).
2014 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2015
In the 3-year period of 2006 to 2008, 18% of all fatal dog attacks occurred off the owner's property. Pit bulls accounted for 81% of these deaths.
Report: U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities January 2006 to December 2008 by DogsBite.org, 2009
In 2012, "rescue" dogs accounted for 15% (6) of all deadly attacks. Of the adults killed, 3 females, each were killed by their own rescue dog.
2012 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2013
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 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2011
In 2011, adult victims of fatal pit bull maulings more than doubled the number of child victims.
2011 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities by DogsBite.org, 2012
The data indicate that rottweilers and pit bull-type dogs accounted for 67% of human DBRF in the United States between 1997 and 1998. It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period and, thus, there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities.