773-365-0040
Though most dogs make very loving pets, it’s easy to forget that they are natural predators and will bite if they perceive a threat. Here are five surprising facts about dog bites in the United States
1. Almost 5 million dog bites occur in the U.S. each year.
Though this may seem like a staggeringly high number, it’s not that strange, considering that 78.2 million owned dogs and millions more stray dogs live in the U.S. By these numbers, about 1 out of 16 dogs will bite a person in a given year.
2. Nearly 800,000 incidents require medical care.
Though there are millions of bites every year, the vast majority of them are relatively harmless. However, a considerable number of bites require trips to the emergency room, and in 2011, 31 people were killed by dogs.
3. All dog breeds bite.
Though most people associate dog bites with pit bulls, rottweilers, and other aggressive breeds, they aren’t the only offenders. All dogs are capable of doing significant damage to a human—from an Irish wolf hound all the way down to a chihuahua.
4. The majority of biters are unneutered males.
According to the American Humane Association, 92% of fatal dog attacks come from males—94% of which are unneutered. Since a dog’s hormones can make it more aggressive, it’s always important to make sure that your dogs are spayed or neutered.
5. 50% of dog bite victims are children under 12.
Since children are especially enamored with animals, it’s difficult for them to respect a dog’s boundaries. To prevent nasty dog bites, teach your children to slowly approach strange dogs and ask permission before petting them.
If you’ve recently suffered an unprovoked dog bite, contact Shea Law Group today. Dog owners have a responsibility to keep their dogs leashed and under control—that’s why if you get bitten, you could be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Call us today at (773) 365-0040 for more information.
