California Dog Bite Statistics

While it’s said that dogs are a man’s best friend, dogs may also bite, attack and maul individuals to the point of irreversible damage or death.

In a joint study from State Farm and the Insurance Information Institute, California was the state with the most dog bites in 2019 with 2,396 claims, valuing over $122 million paid to victims.

Dogs in the U.S.

According to a 2019 statistic by the American Pet Products Association, just under 90 million dogs are residing in the U.S.

The APPA’s most recent statistics say 69 million households are dog owners, accounting for 54% of the U.S.

Dog Bite Victim Statistics

The CDC has estimated that 4.5 million dog bites occur annually. 1 out of every 73 people will be bitten by a dog.

A majority of dog bites are minor and don’t require medical attention. Nearly 1 in 5 people will need to visit a medical center for treatment of a dog bite.

The CDC estimates that 1.8 of all dog bites will require hospitalization. 0.01 percent of bitten individuals will have an extended stay in the hospital for their injuries.

The most common reasons for dog bite victims to be admitted to the hospital include:

• Skin and tissue infections
• Wounds to the legs and arms
• Wounds to the neck, head or torso
• Fractures
• Blood poisoning

Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2019, a study of news reports identified 48 dog-bite related fatalities in the U.S. From 2005 to 2019, dog bites contributed to 521 deaths.

The study found 33 fatal dog bites in 2019 were caused by pit bulls, amounting to 69%. While pit bulls make up 8% of the U.S. dog population overall, they are regulated in areas with Military Housing and over 900 American cities.

13%, or 6 fatal attacks in 2019, were by mixed breeds, and Rottweilers were found to have inflicted 4 deaths, or 8%.

During 2019, pit bulls, American bulldogs, Rottweilers, mastiff-type guard dogs, and war dogs were involved in 39 or 81% of recorded fatal dog attacks. These are breeds used to create baiting bull breeds and fighting breeds.

In a study of dog bite fatalities between 2015 and 2019, children aged 0–10 comprised 36% of victims. This is a decrease from the share of young dog bite victims reported in 1979-1988 — a staggering 70%. Since the 1980s, victims aged 50 years and older have nearly doubled in rate of fatal dog bites from 21% to 41% in the most recent data available.

Insurance Company Compensation Payout for Dog Bites

The Insurance Information Institute estimated that $881 million was paid out in 17,989 claims during 2021. There was a 2.2% raise in the number of claims from 17,597 in 2020. The value of claims rose 28% since the year 2017, when $686 million in claims was paid out.

The average cost of a dog attack insurance claim was $49,025 in 2021. In the overall 10-year trend for 2012 to 2021, the increase of medical costs and plaintiff awards has contributed to a 39 percent increase in the average cost per claim.

Call a Dog Bite Lawyer in California for Help

If you or a loved one were injured in a dog bite attack, contact a dog bite attorney. Our lawyers are knowledgeable and experienced in California’s dog bite laws and the issues that could affect your claim.

To request a consultation, call us today at 844-888-2483 or use our convenient online form.