Dog Bite Statistics By Breed 2025

Written by:

With more than 89 million dogs in the United States, nearly 4.5 million dog bites occur every year. Of those, approximately 885,000 seek medical attention, and nearly 370,000 require emergency department care. Being injured by a dog can be at times life-threatening. No matter how severe the dog bite is, you need to know and understand your rights when being a dog bite victim.

Nearly one in five people who are bitten by a dog require medical attention. As recorded in 2020, the U.S. population is 331 million people, meaning a dog bite occurs every 73 people. According to the World Animal Foundation, an American has a 1 in 50 chance of being bitten by a dog each year. Yet, not everyone has the same risks. Among 4.5 million bite victims, a large percentage are children. Hospital Emergency Departments treat 885,000 patients who seek medical care for bites; 370,000 of those need emergency attention. Children are more vulnerable and account for 70% of all bite-related deaths.

Animal control usually deals with problems on dogs of all breeds, and it is known that the most aggressive dog breeds are Pit Bulls.

Dog Bites Fatalities by Breed

While the number of dogs has almost doubled in the last eight years globally, most dogs are friendly. Dog bite statistics show that in the United States, the most frequently bitten by dogs are the postal service workers. In 2019, the United States Postal Service confirmed that dogs attacked 5,803 postal employees. In 2024, there were over 6,000 dog attacks on postal workers. This shows about a 5% increase in dog attacks on postal workers in just a few years. Most of these dogs have become defensive of their homes and owners.

Dog Breed Bite Statistics

You may be wondering, what type of dog attacks the most people. Although Pitbulls and Rottweilers make up only 6% of dogs in the US, they’re responsible for most fatal attacks. According to the data from the World Animal Foundation, Pit Bulls have the greatest frequency of bites at 66%. This includes 346 deaths between 2005 and 2019. As per statistics, Pitbulls are:

2.5 times more likely to bite multiple areas of the body during an attack
2.7 times more likely to initiate attacks off their owner’s property
31% more likely to attack strangers compared to other breeds
48% more likely to attack unprovoked

Together, Pit Bulls and Rottweilers were involved in approximately 76% of all fatal dog attacks, with Rottweilers alone responsible for 51 deaths.

Breed Aggressiveness

Many municipalities have laws against owning Pit bulldogs due to their aggressiveness and powerful jaws that can produce a lot of damage. However, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there is not an exact breed to stand out as being the most dangerous in the world. The American Veterinary Medical Association points out that smaller dogs are more likely to exhibit signs of aggression than bigger ones.

As reported by a dog bite study by the University of Pennsylvania, the most aggressive dog breeds are Dachshunds and Chihuahua, which are typical family dogs. The next six dog breeds classified above the Pit bull in this study are:

Dachshund
Short stature
Australian Cattle Dog
Border Collie
Beagle
Jack Russell Terrier

However, small dogs don’t do much damage. They bite their owners or strangers more frequently, but their tiny jaws do not harm the big dog breeds. These dog breeds’ bite is usually not powerful enough to cause real injuries, and likely won’t require medical care. Thus they can’t be labeled as dangerous dogs, except maybe for children.

According to the law approved by the BOE in 2002, the most dangerous dog breeds (and for which you need a license if adopting them) are:

Pit Bull Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Rottweiler
Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasileiro
Tosa Inu
Akita Inu.

You must understand that it doesn’t matter how intelligent your dog is, but rather how you treat them, and the dog’s training is also essential. Certain breeds display dangerous behavior as they grow up. You have to make sure to feed your dog correctly, as an aggressive dog breed may require special attention in the diet area, such as dachshunds. Doberman pinscher, the giant schnauzer, is also more dangerous than other breeds, while golden retrievers, and labradors, are among the safest.

The reality is that sometimes we are to blame for not knowing how to treat dogs, educate them, meet their demands, or recognize potentially aggressive behavior earlier. If we fail in these aspects, it might even result in human death one day. Abused dogs, or those that participated in dog fights, are also potentially dangerous.

Which Dog Breed Has the Strongest Bite Force in 2022?

The Kangal is a large, muscular dog that typically weighs between 100 and 130 pounds. They have been trained to guard sheep and other flocks from larger predators like wolves, jackals, and bears. The Kangal has a very strong bite, with a bite force of 743 PSI. It is the highest bite force of any dog breed.

The Most Common Characteristics of Dangerous Breeds

With roughly 900 million dogs in the entire world as of 2021, dog bite attacks may happen at any time, and it might be too late to prevent such an accident. Whether you are considering adopting a dog or you already have one, you need to understand that owning a dangerous breed is always risky. Sure, dogs are different, but dog bite statistics do not lie, so experienced people should adopt aggressive dogs in their education and care.

Bear in mind that some of the most dangerous breeds may have:

Strong musculature, powerful appearance
Great courage and powerful character
Short hair
Voluminous head, large and strong jaws, wide and deep mouth
Muscular and short neck
A weight of over 20 kgs
Thoracic perimeter between 60 and 80 centimeters
Parallel, straight and robust forelegs

The Most Common Causes for Dog Bites

Usually, dogs bite for specific reasons. Whether they are scared, defensive, or sometimes hurt, teaching your dog to be gentle is essential. When letting your children around dogs, always supervise them and teach them to respect the dog’s space. In other cases, the dog owner will advise you not to approach. It is best to keep a safe distance and be wary of dangerous dog breeds, as most dogs bite when they feel threatened or defensive. Always watch and listen to dogs’ signals and treat them right.

Dogs have instinctive urges, and according to the National Canine Research Council, several common factors contribute to dog attacks by breed. In 89.9% of attacks, no one was around to intervene, the victim being on their own. Most dog bites accidents happen randomly, and the victim has no relationship with the dog.

Unneutered dogs are 2.6 times more likely to bite people and other dogs. In fact, 60% to 80% of US dog bites happen from unneutered (male) dogs. A full 70% to 76% of biting dogs are male.

In 68.7% of dog bites, the victims couldn’t defend themselves due to mobility or disabilities. Unfortunately, dogs usually bite kids or senior citizens.

In 39.3% of cases, dog bites are due to neglect or the owner’s abusive behavior. While the dog’s behavior is unpredictable, we recommend you follow these tips to lower your risk of being bitten:

Don’t approach if the dog seems anxious or scared.
Stay away from the dog if he is eating, sleeping, or playing with a toy.
Stay at a safe distance if the dog is growling.
Be cautious of stray dogs.
Always stay calm and avoid anxious behavior.
Do not pet a dog through fences.
Offer dogs the space they need.

Dog bites can cause many types of injuries and can vary in levels of severity. From puncture wounds, broken bones, eye injuries, head and neck injuries, face injuries, nerve damage, rabies, or emotional effects, you could suffer severe injuries if bitten by a dog. Thankfully, rabies has been chiefly eradicated in the United States because of vaccinations and pet healthcare. Currently, only one to three deaths from rabies are reported annually in the country.

No matter how severe your dog bites injuries are after a dog bite attack, you may be entitled to compensation if filing a personal injury claim. You could still get some money for your injuries if you were injured while running away from a dog or got knocked out.

Other Dog Breed Bite Statistics

In 2018, around 27,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery due to dog bite injuries. Between 1993 and 2008, there was an 86% increase in dog bite-related hospitalizations. 43% percent of hospitalized people for dog bites require skin treatment and underlying tissue infection, while 22% have wounds of the legs or arms. This is a big part of why the average cost of a hospital stay due to a dog bite is about $18,200.

Dog bite incidents appear to be on the rise in number and severity ever since the 1980s. Only in the United States, the dog attack victims have suffered monetary losses of over $1 billion every year.

Only 50% of dog bites occur on the dog owner’s property, while 77% of the biting dogs belong to a friend or the victim’s family.

Out of the 430 dog bites fatalities that occurred in the last year, 32% were age 0-4, 13% were age 75+, 10% were age 5-9, and 5.5% were age 60-64.

According to dog bite claims statistics, a dog bites every 75 seconds in the United States, and almost 9,500 people are hospitalized each year for dog bites. Pit bull attacks comprise about 60% of all dog bites injuries and 63% of ocular injuries. On the other hand, pit bull terriers are 48% more likely to attack without provocation than any other breeds.

Each year, dog attacks result in $1 billion to $2 billion in financial losses across the U.S. In 2024, homeowners’ insurance companies paid out a total of $1.56 billion for dog-related injury claims. From 2015 to 2024, the average cost per dog-related claim increased by 174.7%.

Fatal Dog Attacks in 2022

A dog bite can typically result in minor dog bite injuries, but sometimes they can be fatal. Of the 54 dog bite fatalities recorded in 2022, Pit Bulls and their mixes represented 63% fatal dog bite injuries in 2022. If you’ve suffered a dog bite related injury, or you’ve lost a loved one, consider speaking with a dog bite injury attorney.

A fatal dog bite can have devastating effects. According to dog bite statistics, Texas and California report more dog biting fatalities than any other states. As of May 23, 2022, more than 700 cities have breed bands. However, states like Texas prohibit municipalities from having breed restrictions.

A total of 420 dog bite-related deaths were reported in the United States between 2018 and 2023. In 2023 alone, the CDC reported 96 fatalities caused by dog bites. This marks a 174% increase in dog bite deaths over five years, rising from 35 deaths to 96. The average number of dog bite deaths per year between 2018 and 2023 is 70, according to the CDC. The average annual deaths from 2005 to 2018 were approximately 33.6 deaths per year.

Dog bite claims are available to those surviving loved ones looking to be made whole again after dog bite fatalities. Although the dog attack statistics vary according to the dog’s breed, dog bite deaths, fatal attacks, and animal bites in general could mean that you have the right to pursue dog bite lawsuits for your loved one.

Since 2016, at least 65 different breeds and mixed breeds have been involved in fatal dog attacks in the U.S. including:

Akita
Boxer
Chow Chow
Doberman Pinscher
German Shepherd
Giant Schnauzer
Husky
Labrador Retriever
Mastiff
Pit Bull-Type
Rottweiler

Pit Bulls are dangerous dogs, and sometimes dog bites happen when they’re around. However, the data validates that dog breed does not determine aggression or bite strength. Some research concludes that banned breeds are ineffective because serious dog bite-related incidents involve many different breeds and mixes.

Deconstructing Breed Myths

Some breeds get a bad rep due to their size. However, the majority of dogs identified as “Pit Bulls” do not have American Pitbull type DNA signatures. This often leads to inaccurate breed reporting information and unreliable statistics about dog bites and fatal attacks.

Many of the unscientific and misleading statistics gathered on dog breeds fall apart when taking into account the evidence from recent scientific studies on canine DNA. In fact, based on these studies, it can be estimated that pitbull-type breeds account for only 10% of fatal dog attacks. If you’ve been hurt by a dog breed, speak with a dog bite attorney right away.

Things You Need to Consider Before Getting a Dog

It has been proven that owning a dog improves your well-being and encourages healthy fitness. Dogs require daily walks or exercise, so it only makes sense for their owners to be more active.

Once you have decided to get a dog, you have to be prepared for the responsibility that comes along. Owning a dog is a lifetime commitment, yet a joy and a privilege. If you’re thinking of getting yourself a canine companion, you need to provide them with a safe shelter, food, water, medical care, and a lot of love and attention.

If you already have other animals or children, there are some things you may want to consider before adopting or buying a dog. If the dog has a history of aggression, are they appropriate for a home with children under no circumstances? Then again, depending on your needs, you can consult with a trusted vet or a dog trainer to find the perfect breed for you and your family.

If possible, spend some time before with your future pet to ascertain any aggressive tendencies. Then spay or neuter the dog before bringing it to your home.

Always socialize with your animal, and provide them with proper exercise time. When going for a walk, keep your dog on a leash. The best dog breeds for first-time owners are Golden Retrievers, as they are lovable, affectionate, and gentle dogs that can thrive in any household. Other great dog breeds are Bichon Frise, Poodle, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Papillon, Labrador Retriever (voted the most popular dog of 2015). This breed is the most intelligent loyal), or Greyhound.

Why Should You Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer

If a dog has bitten you or someone you love, you could face considerable costs, including trauma, medical expenses, or permanent scarring or disfigurement. By suffering injuries from dog attacks by breed, you may be eligible for compensation to recover your losses.

At Maho Prentice, LLP, we specialize in securing fair settlements for victims who have been injured in dog bites or attacks. We will explain the dog bite laws, gather evidence to support your case, provide legal assistance, and negotiate with the dog owner’s insurance company on your behalf.

How Do I File a Dog Bite Claim?

After you were injured in a dog bite attack, immediately seek medical attention and gather as much information as possible from the dog owner. Take photos of the animal and your sustained injuries, if possible. You may also have to file a report with your local animal control agency. By filing a report with this agency, you will have more documentation to help you recover your damages. In some cases, animal control will start an investigation of the accident.

In personal injury cases, dog bite victims may be eligible for certain recoverable damages, depending on the severity of the injuries and the resulting losses. The most common damages awarded for such personal injury claims include medical or surgical costs, lost wages, projected medical expenses, pain and suffering costs, emotional distress, or other expenses associated with long-term medical care.

If a dog has bitten you or someone you love, seek legal representation as soon as possible. Our law firm has the experience to handle any dog bite case and pursue the maximum compensation possible for your dog bite injuries. Contact a dog bite attorney, and schedule your free consultation by calling us at 805-576-8848 any time, day or night in English or Spanish. And if your injuries prevent you from visiting our office, we can come to your home or hospital room.