Dog Bite Statistics

Dog bites, attacks, and maulings can cause severe injuries and even death. Around the world, dogs are said to be man’s best friend, but the Indianapolis Dog Bite Lawyers recognize that sometimes dangers are involved when a dog attacks. According to State Farm Insurance Company, Indiana ranked number 7 on the State Farm list of the top 10 states with the most dog bites every year.

Dogs By the Numbers

As of 2018, more than 90 million dogs were residing in over 50 million homes across the United States.

Victims by the Numbers

Approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur every year. The majority of them are minor and don’t need any medical attention.

From the years 2001 to 2016, the Center for Disease Control put out a report that said 5,473,893 patients were treated in emergency departments around the country for dog bites.

According to the report, 91,244 of those patients were hospitalized as a result of being bitten or attacked by a dog.

During that same period, there was a 139 percent increase in the number of hospitalizations due to dog bites or attacks.

Of the 4.5 million dog bites each year:

81 percent received no injuries or only a slight injury
18.99 percent were treated in an emergency department and released
0.01 percent were hospitalized due to being seriously injured by a dog bite or attack.

According to the Center for Disease Control, 1.8 percent of all dog bites in the United States require hospitalization. They also reported that 0.0005778 percent of all dog bites result in death.

Additionally, according to hospital admissions of dog bite victims:

43 percent were treated for tissue and skin infections
22 percent were wounded in their legs or arms
10 percent were injured in their neck, head, or torso
24.5 percent suffered other serious problems such as a bone fracture or blood poisoning.

Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2018 there were 36 dog bite-related fatalities in the United States.

Even though Pit Bulls are regulated in Military Housing areas and over 900 cities throughout the United States, pit bulls were the cause of 72 percent of those deaths. Pit Bulls only make up approximately 7 percent of the total U.S. dog population.

Between 2005 and 2018, dogs were responsible for 471 deaths in the United States. Pit Bulls and Rottweilers were responsible for 76 percent of those deaths, and 33 different breeds of dogs were responsible for the remainder.

In 2018, the combination of pit bulls, rottweilers, mastiff type guard dogs, and war dogs, the types that are used for “baiting” bull and fighting breeds accounted for 80 percent of all dog bite fatalities.

Also, in 2018, mixed breeds had the second highest death rate causing three deaths, followed by Rottweilers, mastiffs, and Dogo Argentino. 9 different breeds of dog contributed to 26 deaths including a wolf-dog hybrid.

Insurance Company Compensation Payouts for Dog Bites

It’s estimated that dog bite injuries cost homeowner’s liability insurance companies more than $686 million in 2017 while individually, the average claim is $37,051.

Private insurance companies, such as Medicaid and Medicare pay out 81 percent of medical treatment costs if the victim of a dog attack is hospitalized, and 75 percent for medical treatment for those patients who are not hospitalized.

In 2017, dog bite claims increased 2.3 percent, up to 18,522.

The average cost per insurance claim has gone up more than 90 percent since 2003.

Each year in the United States, approximately 750,000 people are treated for dog bites, but of that number only 16,000 receive monetary compensation from homeowners or rental insurance companies.

Call the Indianapolis Dog Bite Lawyers

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to a dog bite, you should contact a dog bite attorney as soon as possible. The Indianapolis Dog Bite Lawyers have the knowledge and experience to assist you or your loved in receiving all the monetary compensation you deserve.

Call them at (317) 455-6655 today.