The Biting Truth - Dog Bite Statistics By State - Dog Bite Prevention Week

​May 18 begins National Dog Bite Prevention Week.

Dog Bite Facts from the American Veterinary Medical Association website:

• Each year, more than 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs.
• Almost 1 in 5 people bitten by dogs require medical attention. 
• Every year, more than 800,000 Americans receive medical attention for dog bites; at least half of them are children.
• Children are, by far, the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be severely injured.
• Most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs.
• Senior citizens are the second most common dog bite victims.

Useful Links:

The following AVMA resources can help you learn more about dog bite prevention:

For parents and pet owners: What you should know about dog bite prevention (brochure)
This informative brochure offers tips on how to avoid being bitten, as well as what to do if you are bitten by a dog. It also addresses what you need to do if your dog bites someone.

The Blue Dog Parent Guide and CD
This innovative dog bite prevention program is designed to help parents and children safely interact with dogs both inside and outside their home. The program is geared toward children from 3 to 6 years old. It's the only dog bite educational tool scientifically proven to help young children learn behaviors that can keep them safe.

Prevent the Bite provides posters and safety information to teach children how to correctly approach a dog. The American Humane Association offers a free online booklet called Pet Meets Baby that includes a forward by Victoria and provides families with valuable information on introducing a new child to a home with a dog. Remember, a responsible dog owner should:

• Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog, even if it is a family pet. Children are often bitten by a dog in their own household.
• Ask permission before touching or playing with a dog.
• Remember that any dog can be dangerous and any dog can bite.

From the Insurance Information Institute: Average Number of Dog Bite Claims Is On The Rise Nationwide

There were an estimated 4.5 to 4.7 million dog bites reported last year.  There are some 70-80 million nice dogs - but any dog can bite.

Consider these alarming statistics provided by National Dog Bite Prevention Week® Coalition members.

• American Veterinary Medical Association estimates the U.S. dog population was approximately 70 million at the end of 2011, down from approximately 72 million in 2006, yet the number of dog bite incidents hasn’t decreased.
• Prevent The Bite reports that according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control CDC, dog bites were the 11th leading cause of nonfatal injury to children ages 1-4, 9th for ages 5-9 and 11th for ages 10-14 from 2003-2012.
• Insurance Information Institute estimates that in 2013, insurers across the country paid over $483 million in dog bite claims.
• American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery reports that according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 26,935 reconstructive procedures were performed in 2013 to repair injuries caused by dog bites.
• U.S. Postal Service reports that 5,581 postal employees were attacked by dogs in 2013. Children, elderly, and postal carriers are the most frequent victims of dog bites.
• American Humane Association reports that 66% of bites among children occur to the head and neck.

However, according to the National Canine Research Council, there is no dog bite epidemic and dog bites are actually decreasing.
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State Farm just reported that for 2013 California led for most dog bite claims, followed by Illinois, Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania.  Below is a breakdown of claims for the 5 highest dog bite claim states:

Here are the top 5 states:
California -- 449 claims $14.7 million paid
Illinois -- 309 claims $8.9 million paid
Ohio -- 221 claims $4.2 million paid
Texas -- 207 claims $4.0 million paid
Pennsylvania - 180 claims $5.8 million paid

Following is a compendium of links to current news about dog bites and Dog Bite Prevention Week:
Dog bite prevention week highlights what pet owners can do
San Diego Ranks in Top Five for Dog Bites
Phoenix Now a Top City for Dogs Biting Mailmen
Denver among top 10 worst U.S. cities for dog attacks
Dallas, Fort Worth High on Post Office Dog Bite List
Dogs go postal on letter carriers! Houston becomes dog-bite capital
Miami Makes Postal Service's List of Top Dog Attack Cities
Los Angeles ranks No. 2 in dog attacks on U.S. postal workers
Worst cities for postal worker dog bites