Dog Bites

Dog Bite Statistics According to the Insurance Information Institute it cost insurers $412 million for dog bites in 2009, an increase from $387.2 the previous year, making that five consecutive years of increases. The number of claims, 16,586, was up 4.8 per cent from 2008. Statistically nearly 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year, 15 to 20 people are killed and 50% of dog bite fatalities are children under 10 years old. Approximately 100 children are bitten by dogs every day in the U.S. and about 92 of these children will need medical attention. In a more recent report DogBite.org, a national dog bite victims’ organization devoted to reducing serious dog attacks, presented statistics for 2011 including 31 fatal dog attacks in that year. Of these fatal attacks 67 per cent were by pit bulls even though pit bulls account for only 5 per cent of the total U.S. dog population. Rotweilers accounted for another 13 per cent. Interestingly, somewhat at odds with the Insurance Information Institute’s report, 70 per cent of pit bull victims were between the ages of 32 and 76, and there were 7 cases of pit bulls killing their owners. Texas and California had the highest number of fatal dog attacks. Although dog bite injuries are small in number compared to motor vehicle accidents, nevertheless the numbers are substantial, and Lowry & Associates has been successful in bringing in fair compensation for many dog bite victims over the years.