Dogs have long been man’s best friends and loyal companions that love you unconditionally. But sometimes, they can bite you which is dangerous. Reports surface every year with dog bite statistics, chronicling researchers’ different methodologies when determining what counts as a dog attack.
Facts
- Around 4.7 million dog bites occur annually.
- Nearly 20% of dog bite victims require medical attention.
- More than 50% of fatal attacks occur to children.
- Nearly fatal dog attacks are increased by 17%.
- Nearly 90% fatal dog attacks involve unneutered male dogs.
Most dangerous dog breeds
- Around 55% of pit bulls and their mixes are involved in 83 attacks.
- Approximately 25% of all other dogs breeds and mixes are involved in 29 attacks.
- Around 14% of Rottweilers and their mixes involved in 21 attacks.
- Around 5% of Huskies and their mixes are involved in 8 attacks.
- Around 4% of American bull dogs and their mixes are involved in 6 attacks.
- Around 1% of wolf hybrids and their mixes are involved in 2 attacks.
Dog bite laws by state
- On bite rule – This is also known as first bite rule means the dog owner is protected from liability on the first injury by the dog, unless the dog is known previously to be dangerous.
- Statutory strict liability – the owner of the dog is legally liable to victim regardless of prior behaviour of the dog.
- Mixed statue – This law is a combination of one bite rule and statutory strict liability.