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A number of different agencies and organizations track the various aspects of dog bite injuries. The City of Minneapolis Animal Care and Control Department publishes the following dog bite statistics: - Dog Bite injuries have increased 37 percent in the last 10 years.
- Nearly 4.5 million dog bites occur each year. Boys between the ages of five and nine are at the highest risk.
- Dog attacks cost society about $1 billion each year.
- Dog bites account for more emergency room visits than playground injuries, bikes, mopeds, ATVs, inline skating, and skateboard injuries combined.
- The majority of dog bite injuries to children occur in the face, head, and neck areas.
- Dog bites are a greater health problem for children than measles, mumps, and whooping cough combined.
- The majority of dog bites occur in the vicinity of the dog owner's property.
- Most dog bite victims are bitten either by their own dogs or dogs that are owned by someone they know.
- About 50 percent of all bites occur in or near the dog owner's home.
- 65 percent of reported dog bites take place while the dog is being played with, fed, teased abused or separated from another dog, while the other 35 percent are reported as being unprovoked by the victim.
- Dog Bite Brochure on the City of Minneapolis website
According to the Emergency Nurses Association, the following statistics are representative of dog bite injuries across the United States: Dog Attack Deaths and Injuries - Every year, 334,000 people are admitted to U.S. emergency departments with dog bite-associated injuries and another 466,000 are seen in other medical settings.
- Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. seeks medical care because of a dog bite.
- 20 people a year die from dog bites in the U.S.
- In the United States, there are more than 52 million dogs in 35 million households.
- Most victims (45%) are bitten on the arms and hand. The right arm is most often bitten, as many victims use this limb to protect themselves.
- People more than 70 years old comprise 10% of those bitten and 20% of those killed.
- Bites from family dogs are more prevalent on the arm and back, compared with bites from stray dogs and dogs of unknown background that are more likely to be inflicted on the leg.
- Most dog bites occur in the afternoon and evening, peaking between 3 and 7 p.m.
- Dog bite reports increase between March and September, with a peak in July.
- The breeds that the CDC considers highest risk for biting injuries are Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Doberman Pinschers, Chows, Great Danes, St. Bernards and Akitas.
- Unneutered dogs are more than 2.6 times more likely to bite than neutered dogs. Male dogs are 6.2 times more likely to bite than female dogs.
- Dogs bite about 3,000 USPS mail carriers yearly.
- Hospital expenses for dog bite-related emergency visits are estimated at $102.4 million.
Dog Bite Injuries among Children - Almost half of typical dog bite victims are children younger than 12 years of age.
- Injury rates are highest for children age 5-9 years, especially boys.
- Severe injuries occur almost exclusively in children less than 10 years of age.
- Children under 10 receive 65% of reported face bites.
- Two-thirds of dog bite injuries happen around the child's home and the child knows the dog. Emergency Nurses Association Website's Dog Bite Fact Sheet.
If you are dealing with a dog bite that occurred in or around Minneapolis, you need a lawyer who is familiar with the intricacies of a Minneapolis dog bite lawsuit. At Howard Sussman & Associates, P.A. we focus on personal injury lawsuits. We know Minnesota Dog Bite Law. Call us today at 612.332.4830 or contact us through our website, and we will be happy to discuss your dog bite case. (Initial consultations are always free.)
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