Dog Bite Injuries and the Dangers Dog Bites Pose

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are over 4.7 million dog bites each year. Over 800,000 of these bites require medical attention, half of these bites are to children. Parents should be aware of the danger that dog bites pose to their children because such bites are common among children and young children may sustain more serious injuries than an adult.

For example, the CDC has warned that children between the ages of 5 and 9 are at the greatest risk of a dog bite. Additionally, children who are four years old or younger are most likely to be bit in the neck or the head area. The American Humane Society estimates that dog bites among all ages cost more than $1 billion per year in insurance claims. These claims represent the cost of covering the injuries associated with dog bites. Common dog bite injuries may include bruising, bleeding, infection, scarring, and disfigurement.

Severe and fatal dog attacks have caused some breeds to be labeled as “dangerous dog breeds” and have even lead states and cities to pass laws regulating the ownership of these breeds. The Two breeds that have been commonly subject to such dog legislation are pit bulls and rottweilers. The ASPCA argues that negligent dog owners are the cause of dog attacks and not dog breeds.

However, groups like DogsBite.org have advocated for regulation of these breeds because of fatal dog attack statistics. One study showed that between 1982 and 2012 pit-bulls, rottweilers, and their mixes caused 333 of the 497 fatal dog attacks in the United States and Canada.

The dog bite infographic illustrates the areas where dog bites commonly occur such as the arms, hands, legs, and feet. Additionally, it provides information on dog bites and children, dangerous dog breeds, and fatal dog attacks. Learn more about dog bites by visiting the webpage and viewing the infographic: Dog Bite Infographic.