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Facts &
Figures
Approximately 4.7 million
people are bitten by dogs annually, resulting in an
estimated 800,000 injuries. (Insurance
Information Institute)
Dog bites now account
for one-third of all homeowner’s insurance liability
claims costing roughly $310 million.
Approximately 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs
annually, resulting in an estimated 800,000
injuries. With 70 percent of the bites occurring on
the dog owner’s property, the issue is clearly
becoming a major source of concern for insurers and
indicates a need for greater awareness.
Source: Insurance Information Institute
Click here to
see the report.
There were 4.5 million bites reported to
authorities in 1996 and 4.7 million reported in
1999.
Source: Insurance Information Institute
Click here
to
see the report.
According to the National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control, the number of dog bites
requiring medical attention increased from 585,000
in 1986 to 800,000 in 1994, an increase of 37
percent.
Source: Insurance Information Institute
Click here
to
see the report.
Nonfatal Dog Bite--Related Injuries Treated in
Hospital Emergency Departments --- United States,
2001
Published by: Centers for Disease Control
Abstract: In 1994, the most recent year for which
published data are available, an estimated 4.7
million dog bites occurred in the United States, and
approximately 799,700 persons required medical care
(1). Of an estimated 333,700 patients treated for
dog bites in emergency departments (EDs) in 1994
(2), approximately 6,000 (1.8%) were hospitalized
(3). To estimate the number of nonfatal dog
bite--related injuries treated in U.S. hospital EDs,
CDC analyzed data from the National Electronic
Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP).
This report summarizes the results of the analysis,
which indicate that in 2001, an estimated 368,245
persons were treated in U.S. hospital EDs for
nonfatal dog bite--related injuries. Injury rates
were highest among children aged 5--9 years. To
reduce the number of dog bite--related injuries,
adults and children should be educated about bite
prevention, and persons with canine pets should
practice responsible pet ownership.
Click here to
see the report.
Hospitalizations for Dog Bite Injuries
Published by: Published by: Centers for Disease
Control
In 2001 the property/casualty insurance industry
paid out $310 million in dog bite liability claims,
up from $250 million five years earlier. These
numbers only account for liability claims from
homeowners or renters policies. They do not include
uninsured losses or other medical costs that are not
part of a liability claim.
Source: Insurance Information Institute
Click here
to
see the report
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Practice Area - Dog
Bites
Dog bites are very common, for both adults and
children. They can have serious consequences,
including permanent disfigurement, nerve and tissue
damage and psychological trauma. In extreme cases,
they may result in death. Of course, it is not
possible to know in advance whether a dog will
attack -- even the nicest, gentlest dogs have been
known to bite.
If you or a family member has suffered as the result
of a dog bite, the
Davis Law Group, P.S. can help you. Having experience with this type
of claim, we have the skill and expertise necessary
to represent you. Contact Christopher Michael Davis
today for a FREE consultation about your legal
needs.
Contact us for
a FREE, no obligation consultation.
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Recent Cases - Dog
Bites
Contraro v. Day, Snohomish Co. Superior Court.
$165,000 Settlement.
A five (5) year old girl is bitten in the face and
scalp by a dog. She suffered permanent scarring
which may need future revision surgery. Her past
medical expenses were approximately $9,000. The dog
was advertised in the Free Pets section of the
Everett Herald as “kind, gentle and good with
children.” The girl’s father answered the ad and
took the dog home. The dog attacked his young
daughter on the first day of ownership. Mr. Davis’
investigation revealed that the former dog owner
knew that his dog attacked another child three days
earlier but failed to disclose this fact to the
young girl’s father. The former dog owner continued
to answer inquiries on his classified ad while
knowing that the dog was vicious. The former dog
owner’s attorney argued to the judge that his client
had no liability because his client no longer owned
the dog when it attacked the father's daughter.
Fortunately, the former dog owner's motion to
dismiss was denied and the case settled shortly
thereafter.
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News - Dog Bites
►
Dog-pack mauling
critically injures 18 month-old boy, Seattle Times,
August 1, 2007.
►
Dad tells of Agony
after dog attack, Aberdeen, UK, August 2, 2007.
►
Dog attack prompts charges, Jasper Booster, CA
August 2, 2007
►
Owner Settles in dog attack case, First Coast News,
FL, August 1, 2007
►
Woman hurt in Brownsburg dog attack, WTHR, IN,
August 1, 2007
►
Dog attack spurs additional complaints, WOWT, NE,
July 30, 2007
►
DOG ATTACK Who lunged first? Witnesses testify,
Washington Post, July 27, 2007
►
No Charges in Fatal Dog Attack, WTVC, TN, July 30,
2007
►
Coyotes in park dog attack have been fed by humans,
San Francisco Chronicle, July 26, 3007
►
Area Couple Sent to Hospital after Dog Attack, WSET,
VA, July 28, 3007
►
Teen needs 900 stitches after dog attack, Miami
Herald, FL, July 28, 2007
►
Dog used as weapon in attack, say cops, Winnipeg
Sun, July 17, 2007
►
Recent dog attack prompts Animal Control action,
KRIS-TV, July 25, 3007
►
7-year-old girl recuperating after dog attack,
Indianapolis Star, July 7, 2007
►
Community Outraged After Dog Attack, NBC4,
Washington, DC, July 24, 2007
►
Toledo's vicious dog law is upheld, Toledo Blade,
OH, August 1, 2007
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Videos - Dog Bites
►
See video
of a 7 year old girl who was
mauled by a pit bull.
►
See video
of a 7 year old boy who was bitten in the face by a
dog.
►
See video
of a 4 year old girl who was attacked by a
neighbor's pit bull.
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FAQs - Dog Bites
Question.
How many people die every year as a result of dog
bites?
Answer.
Ten to 20 people die every year as a result of dog
bites in the U.S. By far, the majority of the
victims are children. In a three-year period between
1999 and 2001, 33 people died after being bitten by
a dog. A vast majority of these victims (24 of 33)
were under 12 years of age.
Question.
Why do some dogs bite?
Answer.
There are many reasons why a dog bites. Dogs bite
out of fear or to protect their territory or to
establish their dominance over the person bitten.
Some owners mistakenly teach their dogs that biting
is an acceptable form of play behavior. And every
year a number of newborn infants die when they are
bitten by dogs who see them as "prey." Because dog
bites occur for a variety of reasons, many
components of responsible dog ownership—including
proper socialization, supervision, humane training,
sterilization, and safe confinement—are necessary to
prevent biting.
Question.
Which dogs most commonly bite? Are some breeds more
likely to bite than others?
Answer.
The breeds most commonly involved in both bite
injuries and fatalities changes from year to year
and from one area of the country to another,
depending on the popularity of the breed. Although
genetics do play some part in determining whether a
dog will bite, other factors such as whether the
animal is spayed or neutered, properly socialized,
supervised, humanely trained, and safely confined
play significantly greater roles. Responsible dog
ownership of all breeds is the key to dog bite
prevention.
Question.
How can local laws prevent dog bites?
Answer.
The most effective dangerous dog laws are those that
place the legal responsibility for a dog's actions
on the owner rather than on the dog. The best laws
hold the owner accountable for the bite victim's
pain and suffering, and mandate certain corrective
actions such as spay/neuter and proper confinement
of the dog. For more information on legislation that
will effectively reduce dog bites in your community,
contact The HSUS. For guidance on developing a dog
bite prevention plan in your community, read the
American Veterinary Medical Association's A
Community Approach to Dog Bite Prevention.
Question.
What should I do if I am bitten by a dog?
Answer.
If you are bitten or attacked by a dog, try not to
panic.
►
Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and
warm water.
►
Contact your physician for additional care and
advice.
►
Report the bite to your local animal care and
control agency. Tell the animal control official
everything you know about the dog, including his
owner's name and the address where he lives. If the
dog is a stray, tell the animal control official
what the dog looks like, where you saw him, whether
you've seen him before, and in which direction he
went.
Question.
Can children be taught to avoid being bitten by a
dog?
Answer.
Yes, just as we teach our children to practice
safety in other situations, we can teach them to be
safe around dogs. The most important lessons for
children to learn are not to chase or tease dogs
they know and to avoid dogs they don't know.
Question.
Is there any way I can "bite-proof" my dog?
Answer.
There is no way to guarantee that your dog will
never bite someone. But you can significantly reduce
the risk. Here's how:
►
Spay or neuter your dog. This important procedure
will reduce your dog's desire to roam and fight with
other dogs, making safe confinement an easier task.
Spayed or neutered dogs are three times less likely
to bite.
►
Socialize your dog. Introduce your dog to many
different types of people and situations so that he
or she is not nervous or frightened under normal
social circumstances.
►
Train your dog. Accompanying your dog to a training
class is an excellent way to socialize him and to
learn proper training techniques. Training your dog
is a family matter. Every member of your household
should learn the training techniques and participate
in your dog's education.
►
Never send your dog away to be trained; only you can
teach your dog how to behave in your home.
►
Teach your dog appropriate behavior. Don't play
aggressive games with your dog such as wrestling,
tug-of-war, or "siccing" your dog on another person.
Set appropriate limits for your dog's behavior.
Don't wait for an accident. The first time he
exhibits dangerous behavior toward any person,
particularly toward children, seek professional help
from your veterinarian, an animal behaviorist, or a
qualified dog trainer. Your community animal care
and control agency or humane society may also offer
helpful services. Dangerous behavior toward other
animals may eventually lead to dangerous behavior
toward people, and is also a reason to seek
professional help.
►
Be a responsible dog owner. License your dog as
required by law, and provide regular veterinary
care, including rabies vaccinations. For everyone's
safety, don't allow your dog to roam. Make your dog
a member of your family: Dogs who spend a great deal
of time alone in the backyard or tied on a chain
often become dangerous. Dogs who are well-socialized
and supervised rarely bite.
►
Err on the safe side. If you don't know how your dog
will react to a new situation, be cautious. If your
dog may panic in crowds, leave him at home. If your
dog overreacts to visitors or delivery or service
personnel, keep him in another room. Work with
professionals to help your dog become accustomed to
these and other situations. Until you are confident
of his behavior, however, avoid stressful settings.
Question.
What should I do if my dog bites someone?
Answer.
If your dog bites someone, act responsibly by taking
these steps:
►
Confine your dog immediately and check on the
victim's condition. If necessary, seek medical help.
►
Provide the victim with important information, such
as the date of your dog's last rabies vaccination.
►
Cooperate with the animal control official
responsible for acquiring information about your
dog. If your dog must be quarantined for any length
of time, ask whether he may be confined within your
home or at your veterinarian's hospital. Strictly
follow quarantine requirements for your dog.
►
Seek professional help to prevent your dog from
biting again. Consult with your veterinarian, who
may refer you to an animal behaviorist or a dog
trainer. Your community animal care and control
agency or humane society may also offer helpful
services.
►
If your dog's dangerous behavior cannot be
controlled, do not give him to someone else without
carefully evaluating that person's ability to
protect him and prevent him from biting.
a
Because you know your dog is dangerous, you may be
held liable for any damage he does even when he is
given to someone else.
►
Don't give your dog to someone who wants a dangerous
dog. "Mean" dogs are often forced to live miserable,
isolated lives, and become even more likely to
attack someone in the future. If you must give up
your dog due to dangerous behavior, consult with
your veterinarian and with your local animal care
and control agency or humane society about your
options.
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