Dog Bite Facts & Statistics

Thousands of people, many of whom are children, are bitten by dogs each year. Many of these bites are preventable. The more you know, the better you and your child will be at avoiding a horrific dog bite situation. Use this collection of dog bite facts and statistics to help educate your children.

Dog Bite Statistics

The vast majority of bites are by pet dogs and happen when people are engaged in social behavior in appropriate places.

  • Each year, dogs bite more than 4.5 million people in the U.S.
  • Almost 1 in 5 bitten by dogs requires medical attention.
  • Every year, more than 800,000 Americans receive medical attention for dog bites; at least half of them are children.

Children and Dog Bites

According to the World Animal Foundation, 65.1 million U.S. households own at least one dog, which accounts for 49.5%

  • Children are the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be severely injured.
  • Dogs are much less likely to attack a child in the presence of an adult, particularly in the presence of the owner.
  • Most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs.
  • The odds that a dog bite victim will be a child are 3.2 to 1.
  • Severe injuries from dog bites are highest for children ages 5 to 9 years.
  • The age group with the second-highest amount of fatalities due to a dog attack are 2-year old children. Over 88% of these fatalities occurred when the 2-year old child was left unsupervised with a dog or the child wandered off to the location of the dog.
  • The face (lips, nose and cheeks) of children under 10-years old are the most frequent target of a dog bite.
  • A single dog bite prevention lesson incorporated into a regular school day has been shown to dramatically reduce high risk behaviors toward unfamiliar dogs in both very young and middle school children.

Did you know …

Most dog bites are on par with kitchen and playground accidents; however:

  • Dogs can bite in 2/10ths of a second. Human reaction time is roughly 3/4ths of a second.
  • Dogs can land roughly 25 bites in 4 to 5 seconds (variables are the size and age of the human verses size and age of the dog, experience or familiarity with the dog or dogs in general)
  • A 35-pound dog could sheer off a human adult thumb with little to no effort, if they wanted
  • A substantial dog of 35 pounds or larger could easily take, shake and ”rag doll” an adult human, even a 200 pound plus human, with ease, if they wanted

Other Dog Bite Facts

  • Approximately 75% of dog bites occur on the victim’s property, and most victims know the dog responsible for the attack.
  • Approximately 92% of fatal dog attacks involved male dogs.
  • Approximately 25% of fatal dog attacks involved dogs that were chained.
  • Approximately 71% of dog bites occur on the extremities — the arms, hands, legs and feet.
  • Dog bites result in approximately 44,000 facial injuries each year.

Dog Safety Tips for Your Children

  • sleeping dog

    Get permission from a dog’s owner before you pet it.

  • Avoid dogs running loose or not with their owners.
  • Do not reach through a fence to pet a dog.
  • Do not bother a dog that is sleeping, eating, injured or sick.
  • Leave a mother dog with her puppies alone; they are very protective of their babies.
  • Do not distract service dogs while they are doing their jobs.
  • Leave dogs that are barking or growling alone.
  • Watch out for unfriendly warning signs: nose pulled back and wrinkled, lips drawn back, teeth bared, ears laid back, hair sticking up along its back.

Resources for You


Receive a Free Evaluation from Knowledgeable Dog Bite Attorneys

The Nash & Franciskato Law Firm in Kansas City has handled many serious animal attack cases involving dog bites. Our caring and compassionate lawyers look at all angles in order to obtain the compensation you deserve.

Plus, our personal injury legal team gives you:

  • Over 80 years of combined experience
  • Trusted legal advisor committed to your needs
  • Super Lawyers for over 10 years
  • The AV Preeminence Rating for Ethical Standards & Legal Ability
  • Compassionate advocacy for you and your family

If your child has suffered from a dog attack, the dog bite attorneys at Nash & Franciskato can help you hold the dog’s owner liable for injuries suffered. Contact our lawyers in Kansas City for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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