Dog Bite Rates by Breed – 5 Tips That May Increase Your Safety From Attacks
Dog bite rates may be higher for some breeds than others, but a dog can attack at any time.
Dog bite rates can increase with a large number of pet dogs. Over 38 percent of all households in the US have a pet dog, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
There are a plethora of dogs across LA. According to the Los Angeles County Animal Care Center, there were over 3,000 dogs adopted at Los Angeles care centers in 2022.
If you head to virtually any park throughout the LA area, you are most likely to see someone with their dog. Odds are someone has a canine companion in your apartment complex. It’s not uncommon to even see people bring them shopping!
With so many four-legged friends in the county, the risk of dog bites can grow. Some breeds are known to be more aggressive than others. The two most common breeds that increase dog bite rates or attacks are pit bulls and rottweilers.
Pit bulls – A descendent from bulldogs and terriers, pit bulls often come with a negative reputation. Compared to other top-biting breeds, the odds of a bite resulting in a complex wound are 4.4 times greater in pit bulls.
Furthermore, attacks by pit bulls are associated with higher fatality rates and hospital charges.
Rottweilers – Generally portrayed in the media as an aggressive, violent breed, rottweilers have origins that trace back to Germany. In 2019, rottweilers accounted for eight percent of all fatal dog attacks.
Combined with pit bulls, they contributed to 76 percent of all dog attack fatalities between 2005 and 2019.
This isn’t to say all pit bulls and rottweilers are dangerous. Dog bite rates and attacks are just more frequent in these breeds compared to others.
If you are the owner of one of these types of dogs, it’s important to check your insurance policy, as some don’t cover certain dog breeds.
For example, Farmers Insurance no longer provides coverage for homeowners with pit bulls, rottweilers, and a few other breeds, likely due to their increased dog bite rates.
56 percent of all fatal dog attacks involved dogs not owned by the person who was attacked. The Centers for Disease Control offer tips to stay safe from dogs and help lower dog bite rates, including:
- Before petting someone else’s dog, ask if it is OK to pet them.
- When approached by a new dog, remain still to allow them to feel comfortable.
- Make sure a dog has sniffed you before you pet it.
- Do not approach an unfamiliar dog. Call animal control if you see a dog on the loose.
- Do not let children play unsupervised with dogs.
After an attack, it’s important to file a dog bite report with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. You can find different forms at the following link.
Dog bites can cause severe physical damage to victims. Some common injuries from dog attacks include:
- Puncture wounds from bites
- Lacerations and cuts
- Eye injuries
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Death
Knowing the different dog bite rates amongst breeds can be a major help in safely preparing yourself against attacks. This doesn’t mean you still aren’t at risk of an assault, especially if you come in contact with a more aggressive breed.
The Los Angeles dog bite attorneys at C&B Law Group want to help you with your dog bite case.
If you were bitten by a dog in Los Angeles, your physical and psychological pain can seem unbearable. Just seeing a dog or hearing one bark can bring extreme anxiety.
Having an attorney can help you recover damages following a dog bite injury such as:
- Past and Future Medical Bills
- Lost Income or Earning Capacity
- Mental Trauma
- Punitive Damages
Your case deserves someone with the knowledge to properly handle dog bite injuries and their subsequent cases. No matter how high dog bite rates go, you should feel confident with your recovery.
Contact C&B Law Group today to set up a free consultation!