California is #1 for dog bites – with bite rates rising everywhere
Dog bite stories regularly feature in the news – not surprising, with 4.5 million people bitten by dogs every year in the U.S, and 1,000 people every day reliant on emergency care treatment for dog bite injuries. Yet, the likelihood of a dog bite in your neighborhood depends on where you are, as the prevalence of dog bites significantly varies across the country.
Our analysis unpicks the details around the number of dog bites in each state, illustrates how each state deals differently with dog bites, and offers some explanations and ways to potentially bring the dog bite numbers down.
Dog Bites – a Serious and Growing National Problem
The U.S. is a dog-friendly nation. Our analysis of American Medical Veterinary Association data shows us that 45.5% of homes feature at least one dog (the average number per household is 1.5). In total, 59.8 million households are home to 89.7 million dogs.
Yet, a fair proportion of those dogs bite, and of the 4.5 m people bitten by dogs each year in the U.S., 850,000 require subsequent medical attention, with 370,000 incidents serious enough to require a visit to the emergency room.
Analysis of shocking American Society of Plastic Surgeons data shows that there were just under 19,000 reconstructive procedures for dog bite injuries in 2022.
The problem is getting steadily worse: analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data tells us that the number of fatal attacks from dogs doubled over a decade, with a low of 31 in 2016 and a high of 81 in 2021.
And study data also suggests that the number of dog bite claims (19,062) increased by 8.3% in 2023 compared to 2022, with dog bite claims having risen an overall 15% since 2013.
The average age of a dog bite victim in the U.S. is 28.9 years old; males are slightly more likely to suffer a dog bite attack, with a 52.6% share of dog bite incidents. Analysis of CDC study data also tells us that dog bites are more common during summer and over weekends, with 98.8% of bites ‘unintentional’ – a term that covers ‘non malicious’ attacks, such as during play between a dog and owner.
80.2% of dog bites happen at home, and of the dog breeds most likely to bite, pitbulls are the most dangerous, having killed 284 people – 65.6% of all dog bite fatalities.
Rottweilers are the second most dangerous breed, responsible for 10.4% of fatal dog bite incidents. The strongest bite force is seen in the Kangal Dog Breed, with 743 PSI.
Children: By Far the Biggest Victims of Dog Bites
Children bear the brunt of dogs that bite: in 70% of cases, dogs target children, with an average of 16 child fatalities from dog bites each year. Our analysis of National Library of Medicine data reveals that dog bites to children is the second most popular reason for seeking medical care or time from work or school.
And 2022 data from the Journal of Surgical Research shows a 25% increase in children bitten by dogs between 2019 and 2020. The data also asserts that children’s injuries are often worse because their torsos are easier to maul from a dog’s vantage, with children aged 5-9 suffering most.
Sadly, PTSD has been observed in over half the children who have been bitten by a dog, and Journal of Medical Case Reports data suggests that paediatricians have observed a growing trend of dog phobia.
The Perils of Being a Postal Worker – Dog Bite City Hotspots
U.S. Postal Service study data provides key insights on dog bite hotspots. The data reveals which cities and states are most prone to dog bites – with 5,800 dog attacks on postal workers during 2023. First of all, these are the top ten dog bite cities in America.
- Los Angeles CA – 65 (dog bite attacks in 2023)
- Houston TX – 56
- Chicago IL – 48
- St Louis MO – 46
- Cleveland OH – 44
- San Diego CA – 41
- Dallas TX – 39
- Cincinnati OH – 38
- Philadelphia PA – 34
- Columbus OH – 33
And here are the ten states most prone to dog bites.
- California – 727 (dog bite attacks during 2023)
- Texas – 411
- Ohio – 359
- Pennsylvania – 334
- Illinois – 316
- New York – 296
- Florida – 193
- North Carolina – 185
- Michigan – 183
- Missouri – 180
California’s place at the top of the list is perhaps unsurprising, when we consider March of Dimes data. The state has the highest child population in the country (just under 10 million as of 2022), a considerable stray dog problem, and a penchant for dogs classed as dangerous.
Texas’ place at number two is largely down to it having the most dogs of any state in the U.S. – 7.2 million – as well as the second largest child population – 7.5 million.
Alongside the terrible death and injury toll, dog bite attacks come with a severe financial cost – as evidenced by Insurance Information Institute figures.
The Further Cost of Dog Bites
The annual cost to emergency services covering dog bite incidents is an estimated $120 million, with the Government footing a quarter of that bill. As National Library of Medicine data reveals, with direct and indirect medical costs factored in, dog bites cost $250 million each year – with children and adolescents alone costing $125 million.
But the costs become far more significant when it comes to insurance claims. According to study data, insurers paid out an eye-watering $1.56 billion in liability claims related to dog bites and other dog-related injuries in 2024.
And, because of rising medical costs and increasingly punitive damages awarded to claimants, the average cost per claim rose 174.7% between 2015 and 2024. Over the past decade alone, State Farm Insurance Company has paid more than $1.5 billion for dog-related injury claims. The average 2023 dog bite insurance claim was $58,545, with claims up 10% on 2022 figures.
Dog owners in the U.S. face potential financial ruin if their dog bites someone. Our analysis of Triple-I data reveals the top 10 states for dog bite claims, plus the average claim amount (2023 statistics).
Number of claims Average claim Total claims (millions)
- California 2,417 $86,229 $208
- Florida 1,821 $55,680 $101.4
- Texas 1,190 $75,674 $90.1
- Michigan 1,138 $63,656 $72.4
- Pennsylvania 1,004 $88,668 $89
- New York 994 $110, 488 $109.8
- Ohio 985 $44,885 $44.2
- Illinois 940 $64,941 $61
- New Jersey 782 $72,375 $56.6
- Georgia 671 $46,724 $31.4
The same data source reveals that dog bites – and owners of dogs that bite – are certainly not afforded consistent treatment across the U.S. Broadly speaking, there are three kinds of liability law.
A Dog-Bite Statute
The dog owner is automatically liable for any injury or property damage the dog causes (without provocation).
The One-Bite Rule
The dog owner is responsible for an injury caused by their dog if the owner knew the dog might cause that type of injury, even if it’s the first time the dog has bitten someone. (That said, the onus is still on the victim to prove the owner knew their dog was dangerous).
Negligence Laws
The dog owner is liable if the injury occurred due to the dog owner’s carelessness regarding their control of their pet.
These three broad umbrella categories are far from the whole story, and things change from state to state. Analysis of Triple I/American Property Casualty Insurers Association data shows some interesting differentials.
29 states feature dog owner liability for injuries caused by their pets, with some exceptions regarding dog provocation. For 17 states and the District of Columbia, liability is not automatically granted, but attacks are classified as misdemeanors or even felonies, with associated fines. Four states (Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi and North Dakota) feature no laws for dog bites; whereas two states (Pennsylvania and Michigan) observe laws that prohibit insurers from canceling or refusing coverage to the owners of particular dog breeds in some policies.
Ohio can exclude owners of dogs classified as ‘vicious’ from buying insurance coverage after a dog bite, and requires owners of those same ‘vicious’ dogs to initially purchase at least $100,000 of liability insurance. Pitbulls were banned in Miami, Florida, in 1989 – with the ban being lifted in 2023.
The Potentially Tragic Consequences of Dog Bites
When things go badly wrong, and a dog attack results in death, the consequences are considerable. As a USA Today report relates, early in 2025, Warren Houston, 45, was indicted by a Hamilton County grand jury Tuesday on involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and endangering children charges.
His three-year-old daughter, Kingsley Wright – who Houston described as having been “completely torn apart” – was killed by Houston’s dog while at his Cincinnati apartment. The dog had never been reported to officials as harmful, and yet Houston faces a potential 11-16.5 years in prison if convicted.
How to Lessen the Frequency of Dog Bites
The cost – to human life, and to the pockets of all taxpayers – of dog bites is far too high. There are so many ways to bring the rising dog bite figures down – and they start with dog owners.
Responsible dog ownership means training dogs from a young age, to help instill better control; and properly socializing the animal, so it can learn how to interact appropriately.
Proper supervision is also crucial, so a dog owner can intervene if something goes wrong. And regular dog exercise can be a crucial way of easing an animal’s latent stress and anxiety – and lowering the likelihood of a dog bite. If a dog owner notices any kind of aggressive behaviour in their pet, they should immediately seek out advice and help from a vet or even a dog trainer.
Dogs and owners aside, the variability of dog-bite laws from state to state doesn’t help. Uniform, nationwide legislation would make things much simpler and easier to apply, and provide a more pervasive deterrent. Additionally, better, more widespread information regarding the consequences of dog bites is sorely needed.
The Texas Law Dog is the representative for you if you or a member of your family has been bitten by a dog. Get in touch today for all the help you need.
