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Dog Bite-Related Statistics

78+

Number of breeds involved in fatal attacks in the U.S. since 2016, confirming that serious dog-bite incidents are not a breed-specific issue.

0.00001%

The risk of being fatally attacked by a dog (of any breed). On average every year in the U.S., insects cause more fatalities (~78) than dogs (~33).

60%

Average percentage of dogs misidentified as 'pitbulls', lacking any DNA from pitbull-type ancestry.

CDC data indicates that, on average, there are 33 fatal dog attacks annually in the United States. These incidents disproportionately affect adults (64%), followed by children (28%) and infants (8%). Since 2016, fatal attacks have involved at least 78 different breeds and mixed breeds, including Akitas, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Great Danes, Huskies, Labrador Retrievers, Mastiffs, Rottweilers, and pitbull-types, among others. Scientific studies have determined that the leading causes of fatal dog attacks stem from preventable factors such as irresponsible ownership, neglect or abuse, not neutering dogs, and inadequate supervision of large or strong dogs around young children and infants. Contrary to misconceptions about breed-specific risks, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and numerous studies agree that a dog's breed does not determine aggression, bite strength, or propensity to bite. While every fatal dog attack is tragic, the majority of dog bite-related fatalities (DBRFs) are the result of human-controlled factors specific to the circumstances surrounding the incident. Below, we provide statistics relevant to fatal dog attacks and dogs labeled as 'pitbulls.'

78+ Breeds Involved In Fatal Dog Attacks

Since 2016, fatal dog attacks in the U.S. have involved at least 78 different breeds and mixed breeds, including Akitas, Boxers, Chow Chows, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Giant Schnauzers, Huskies, Labrador Retrievers, Mastiffs, pitbull-types, and Rottweilers, among others. This diversity of breeds involved underscores findings from multiple scientific studies: a dog's breed does not predict its aggression, bite strength, or propensity to bite. Furthermore, these studies highlight the ineffectiveness of breed-specific legislation (BSL) or dog bans, as serious dog bite incidents can involve many breeds and mixes, not just those singled out by such policies.

Deconstructing Flawed Pitbull Statistics

Comprehensive studies on canine DNA and visual breed identification have determined that 60% of dogs identified as 'pitbulls' lack DNA from recognized pitbull-type breeds. This discrepancy leads to exceedingly inaccurate breed information in media coverage and in unreliable statistics on dog bites and attacks. Additionally, the studies show that most dogs with pitbull-type ancestry have less than 50% DNA from pitbull-type breeds and are therefore, by definition, mixed-breed dogs. Flawed statistics from unscientific organizations and special interest groups advocating for breed-specific legislation (BSL) quickly fall apart when considering evidence from recent canine DNA studies.

dog bite related fatalities chart

Pitbulls Represent 20% of the Dog Population

Dogs labeled as 'pitbulls' are the most popular dogs in the U.S., more popular than Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Boxers, Huskies, Rottweilers, and many others, as revealed by a recent analysis of veterinary data. In addition, they are the #1 most common breed found in DNA-tested dogs. While the American Pit Bull Terrier is a distinct breed, the broader label of 'pitbull' is not a breed but instead, a generic term used to describe a type of dog loosely based on its appearance, resembling any medium-sized dog with physical characteristics from any of the numerous bully-type breeds. Accordingly, as the term 'pitbull' used in breed population data includes the four unique breeds commonly included in the pitbull-type category, a large number and variety of pitbull-type mixes, and other breeds and mixes that can be labeled as 'pitbulls' due to their appearance, we conservatively estimate that they represent at least 20% of the U.S. dog population.

Fatal Dog Attacks Are Rare

Fatal dog attacks are exceedingly rare; on average, every year in the U.S., insects (stings, bites) cause more fatalities (approximately 78) than dogs (approximately 33). While dog bite-related incidents unfortunately occur, dogs represent one of the lowest safety risks to people. The risk of being fatally attacked by a dog (of any breed) is 0.00001%, given an average of 33 fatal attacks every year and a population of 333 million. In comparison, many other common risks are significantly higher than those from fatal dog attacks.

Sources:
common risks vs fatal dog attacks chart

Breed-specific bans are a simplistic answer to a far more complex social problem, and they have the potential to divert attention and resources from more effective approaches.


American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

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