Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of dog bites across the globe has increased. More people are getting attacked than ever before, most of them young children who are the most at risk of sustaining severe or even catastrophic injuries. Dog bite fatalities are also on the rise.
Review the statistics below and explore why they’re on the rise. Then, find out where you can get qualified legal help with your dog bite case.
Current Worldwide Dog Bite Statistics
Let’s take a look at some of the most current data available on dog bites across the globe:
U.S. Pediatric Dog Bites Up 25%
From 2019 to 2020, the Journal of Surgical Research found that dog bites in children had increased by a staggering 25%, according to The Hill.
U.S. Dog Bite Surgery Up 10%
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that there has also been an increase in serious dog bites that need reconstructive surgery to repair. Between 2000 and 2020, the Society measured a 10% rise in the number of dog attack patients requiring surgical intervention. However, it’s important to note that this figure represents both adult and child dog bite victims.
U.S. Dog Bite Deaths Up 30%
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that dog bite fatalities have risen dramatically between 2020 and 2021, representing about a 30% increase in the number of deaths caused by dog attacks.
U.K. Dog Bite Hospital Admissions Up 6%
Between April 2022 and March 2023, the rate of hospital admissions for dog bites in the United Kingdom increased nearly 6%. And when looking at the last 10 years, a 50% increase in admissions can be measured, reports The Daily Mail.
U.K. Dog Bite Surgery Up 80%
The Daily Mail also indicates that surgeries for dog bites in the U.K. increased by a whopping 80% over the last 15 years. Unfortunately, the majority of these victims are children.
The study revealed that children under the age of 4 are at the highest risk of getting attacked, with kids between the ages of 5 and 9 having the second highest risk. The third highest risk of dog attacks identified by the study goes to children between the ages of 10 and 14.
Ireland Hospital Admissions for Dog Bites Up 50%
The rise in dog attacks that need extensive medical treatments can be seen across most developed countries. The Journal reports that in Ireland, researchers measured a sharp 50% increase in dog bites over the course of a decade, between 2012 and 2021.
Factors Impacting the Frequency of Dog Bites
There are many factors that influence when and how a dog will attack, making it difficult to pin down just one or two main causes. Instead, let’s look at several of the most common things that impact the frequency and severity of a dog bite:
- The victim is male. While dogs do have female victims, studies show that male victims are more likely to be attacked.
- The dog is an intact male. Male dogs that have intact genitals have a greater propensity to attack than dogs that have been neutered.
- The dog is a pregnant female. Pregnant dogs and new mothers with pups are highly territorial and more likely to initiate an attack if they perceive a threat.
- The dog is ill or injured. Dogs that are sick, in pain, or otherwise uncomfortable are more likely to become agitated and snap during normal activities like petting or play.
- The dog has food aggression. This is an indicator that the dog’s needs may not have been consistently met throughout its life and has learned to become aggressive to ensure needs like food, water, and space are taken care of.
- The dog is poorly socialized. If a dog is kept outside and not allowed into the home, or otherwise poorly socialized, they are increasingly likely to exhibit aggressive tendencies.
- The dog hasn’t been trained. Dogs that aren’t trained or whose owners use punishment-based training methods tend to be more aggressive than well-trained dogs.
Were You Bitten by a Dog?
If you or a family member were bitten by a dog, you may be eligible for financial compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs you incurred as a result of the attack.
Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation by calling (978) 744-8000 or toll free at (855) 693-9084. Our team of veteran New Hampshire and Massachusetts dog bite lawyers are available now to assist you.
