No matter your opinion on dogs or certain breeds, receiving a dog bite injury is an unfortunate risk. Dog attacks can result in various types of injuries in varying levels of seriousness. Common injuries that occur as a result of dog bites include:
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- Puncture wounds
- Nerve damage
- Rabies
- Broken wounds
- Infections
Some dog bites can even result in death. But are certain breeds more likely to bite and cause fatalities than others? Here is a look at the statistics.
Fatal dog attacks
According to recent research by DogsBite.org, here is the number of fatalities from 2005 to 2017 per dog breed:
- Pitbull: 284
- Rottweiler: 45
- German shepherd: 20
- Mix breed: 17
- American Bulldog: 15
- Bullmastiff/mastiff: 14
- Husky: 13
- Labrador retriever: 9
- Boxer: 7
- Doberman pinscher: 6
As you can see, pitbulls are responsible for the vast majority of fatal dog attacks, causing 66% of deaths despite accounting for only 6.5% of all dogs in America. But even breeds that do not carry a stigma of being aggressive, such as Labrador retrievers, make it in the top 10.
The rising cost of dog bite claims
The overall cost of dog attack claims is rising. This is mostly because medical costs are increasing, resulting in higher settlements. In fact, claims are up a shocking 90% from 2003. Dog injuries account for at least a third of homeowners’ liability claims. Deaths aside, the average expense for hospitalization for a dog bite injury is $18,200.
Making a dog bite claim
If a dog attacks you, you have the right to seek compensation for any injuries you suffer. Here are some suggestions for what to do after a dog bite:
- Collect information from the dog owner.
- Take pictures of the scene of the attack, including your injuries.
- Gather contact information from any witnesses.
- Request verification of a rabies vaccine.
- Seek medical attention.
- Gather proof of all expenses, including bills from the emergency room, doctor and pharmacy.
- Document any time you lose from work due to the injury.
You should not need to handle the expenses of a dog bite injury on your own.
