GITNUXREPORT 2026

Animal Bite Statistics

Dog bites cause frequent injuries and cost millions, with children most affected.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Cat bites account for 10-15% of all animal bite injuries in US emergency rooms

Statistic 2

Cat bites have a 50% infection rate, higher than dog bites at 20%

Statistic 3

Pasteurella multocida is isolated in 75% of infected cat bites

Statistic 4

Women are bitten by cats 4 times more often than men due to handling

Statistic 5

In the UK, cat bites lead to 20,000 GP visits annually

Statistic 6

Cat scratches and bites cause cat scratch disease in 5-10% of cases

Statistic 7

80% of cat bite infections are polymicrobial

Statistic 8

Hand bites from cats require antibiotics in 90% of cases to prevent osteomyelitis

Statistic 9

In Australia, cat bites hospitalize 1,500 people yearly

Statistic 10

Elderly patients with cat bites have 30% hospitalization rate

Statistic 11

Rabies transmission from cat bites is 15% in unvaccinated exposures

Statistic 12

In France, 25,000 cat bites treated in ERs annually

Statistic 13

Cat bites to the face cause deeper punctures in 60% of cases

Statistic 14

In Japan, 10% of animal bites are from cats, with high antibiotic resistance

Statistic 15

Diabetic patients with cat bites have 40% complication rate

Statistic 16

In Canada, cat bites lead to 2,000 ER visits per year

Statistic 17

35% of cat bites require surgical debridement

Statistic 18

In India, stray cats cause 5% of rabies post-exposure prophylaxes

Statistic 19

US cat bite lawsuits average $15,000 in settlements

Statistic 20

In the United States, approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur annually, with about 800,000 requiring medical attention

Statistic 21

Dogs cause 80-90% of all animal bite injuries reported to emergency departments in the US each year

Statistic 22

Children aged 5-9 years have the highest rate of dog bite-related emergency department visits at 60.2 per 100,000 population

Statistic 23

In 2021, dog bites resulted in 430 deaths in the US over the past 20 years, averaging 21 fatalities per year

Statistic 24

Pit bull-type dogs were involved in 66% of fatal dog attacks in the US from 2005-2017

Statistic 25

Male dogs are responsible for 74% of dog bite incidents reported

Statistic 26

Unneutered male dogs account for 80% of reported bites in urban areas

Statistic 27

Dog bites cost the US healthcare system $530 million annually in medical treatments

Statistic 28

18% of dog bites in the US lead to infection, primarily from Pasteurella species

Statistic 29

In the UK, dog bites hospitalize 6,000 children annually under age 14

Statistic 30

Rottweilers ranked second in fatal dog attacks with 45 deaths from 1979-1998 in the US

Statistic 31

52% of dog bite victims are children under 12 years old globally

Statistic 32

In Australia, dog bites result in 13,000 hospital admissions yearly

Statistic 33

Family dogs or dogs known to the victim cause 51% of fatal attacks in the US

Statistic 34

Dog bites to the head and neck account for 65% of injuries in children under 10

Statistic 35

In India, 20 million dog bites occur annually, with 59,000 rabies deaths linked

Statistic 36

US dog bite claims paid out $881 million in 2022 by insurance companies

Statistic 37

25% of dog bites in the elderly lead to hospitalization due to complications

Statistic 38

Stray dogs cause 70% of bites in rural China

Statistic 39

In Brazil, 500,000 dog bites are reported yearly to health services

Statistic 40

Dog bites increase by 30% during full moon periods in some studies

Statistic 41

In Canada, 7,000 dog bite hospitalizations occur annually

Statistic 42

40% of dog bites are provoked by victim interaction

Statistic 43

In South Africa, pit bulls involved in 53% of serious dog attacks

Statistic 44

US military working dogs bite rates are 1.5 per 100 dog-years

Statistic 45

In Turkey, 400,000 dog bites reported in 2019

Statistic 46

Children bitten by dogs have 3.2 times higher PTSD risk post-incident

Statistic 47

In the EU, dog bites cost €100 million yearly in treatments

Statistic 48

15% of US dog bites involve multiple wounds requiring sutures

Statistic 49

In Mexico, 70% of rabies cases from dog bites

Statistic 50

In the US, 47,000 animal bite injuries treated in ERs in 2019, with dogs 60%, cats 15%

Statistic 51

Globally, 29 million animal bite wounds occur yearly requiring treatment

Statistic 52

In India, 17.4 million dog bites reported in 2019

Statistic 53

US rabies post-exposure prophylaxis given for 60,000 animal bites yearly

Statistic 54

Children under 15 suffer 50% of global animal bite injuries

Statistic 55

In Africa, 21,476 rabies deaths from animal bites annually

Statistic 56

UK sees 250,000 animal bites yearly, 50% dogs

Statistic 57

Brazil reports 440,000 animal bites to SINAN system in 2020

Statistic 58

In China, 1.7 million Category III exposures (bites) for rabies PEP yearly

Statistic 59

Australia has 2 bites per 1,000 population annually

Statistic 60

Iran reports 1.1 million animal bites yearly

Statistic 61

In the Philippines, 200,000 dog bites lead to PEP annually

Statistic 62

Turkey sees 300,000 animal bites per year

Statistic 63

Vietnam has 500,000 rabies exposures from bites yearly

Statistic 64

In Ethiopia, 10,000 animal bite cases per million population

Statistic 65

South Africa reports 300,000 dog-mediated bites annually

Statistic 66

Thailand sees 750,000 animal bites yearly

Statistic 67

In Russia, 400,000 bite cases trigger anti-rabies vaccinations

Statistic 68

Mexico has 70,000 rabies PEP doses for bites annually

Statistic 69

Globally, animal bites cause 59,000 rabies deaths yearly, 99% dogs

Statistic 70

Rodent bites, including rats, account for 1-2% of animal bites but 50% rat-bite fever cases

Statistic 71

In urban US areas, rat bites number 50,000 annually, mostly children

Statistic 72

Horse bites cause severe facial injuries in 70% of farm-related cases

Statistic 73

Livestock bites (cows, pigs) lead to 10% crush injuries in rural ERs

Statistic 74

Rabbit bites transmit tularemia in 1% of cases globally

Statistic 75

In the UK, ferret bites cause 500 injuries yearly, often deep punctures

Statistic 76

Guinea pig bites lead to lymphadenitis in 20% of pediatric cases

Statistic 77

Monkey bites in US labs infect 1 in 1,000 workers yearly with herpes B

Statistic 78

In Brazil, capybara bites cause 2,000 ER visits annually in wetlands

Statistic 79

Sheep bites rare but cause tetanus in 5% unvaccinated shepherds

Statistic 80

Hamster bites transmit lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in 0.5% cases

Statistic 81

In Australia, kangaroo bites hospitalize 200 tourists yearly

Statistic 82

Deer bites in hunting accidents number 1,000 US cases per year

Statistic 83

Goat bites cause orbital fractures in 15% of farm injuries

Statistic 84

Parrot bites lead to Pseudomonas infections in 25% avian handler cases

Statistic 85

Pig bites transmit Streptococcus suis in 30% of agricultural workers

Statistic 86

In India, buffalo bites cause 50,000 injuries yearly in rural areas

Statistic 87

Coyote bites in urban California average 100 per year

Statistic 88

Llama bites known for spitting but actual bites injure 500 US farms yearly

Statistic 89

Snake bites (non-venomous) treated as punctures in 400,000 US cases annually

Statistic 90

In the US, animal bites lead to 850,000 ER visits annually, costing $300 million

Statistic 91

Rabies PEP administered to 29 million people globally post-bite yearly

Statistic 92

20% of animal bites require surgical intervention like debridement

Statistic 93

Prophylactic antibiotics reduce infection rates from 40% to 10% in high-risk bites

Statistic 94

Tetanus booster needed for 60% of dirty animal bites

Statistic 95

Hospitalization rates for animal bites are 1-2% overall, 15% for hand bites

Statistic 96

Rabies immunoglobulin used in 40% of Category III exposures globally

Statistic 97

Average cost of dog bite treatment in US is $20,000 for severe cases

Statistic 98

Infection complications from bites lead to amputation in 0.1% cases

Statistic 99

In low-income countries, 40% of bite victims receive no treatment

Statistic 100

Wound irrigation reduces infection by 50% in bite management

Statistic 101

Post-bite observation for rabies in animals: 10 days for dogs/cats

Statistic 102

Antibiotic choice: Amoxicillin-clavulanate covers 95% of bite flora

Statistic 103

Children with bites need follow-up in 70% of facial injuries

Statistic 104

Global rabies vaccine demand post-bites: 15 million courses yearly

Statistic 105

Bite wound cultures positive in 50% delayed presenters

Statistic 106

In US, 30% of rabies PEP is unnecessary per retrospective reviews

Statistic 107

Hyperbaric oxygen used in 5% of necrotizing bite infections

Statistic 108

Average hospital stay for complicated bites: 5.2 days

Statistic 109

Post-exposure rabies vaccine efficacy: 100% if timely

Statistic 110

Coyote bites in North America number 12,500 ER visits from 1990-2003

Statistic 111

Raccoon bites transmit rabies in 1-3% of US wildlife exposures

Statistic 112

In the US, bats cause 70% of human rabies cases from bites/scratches

Statistic 113

Shark bites worldwide average 80 unprovoked attacks yearly, 5 fatal

Statistic 114

In Africa, hyena bites injure 500 people annually in rural villages

Statistic 115

US black bear bites average 40-50 incidents per year

Statistic 116

Alligator bites in Florida number 300 yearly

Statistic 117

In India, monkey bites cause 50,000 rabies exposures annually

Statistic 118

Wolf bites rare, but 10 attacks in Europe 2002-2016

Statistic 119

Mountain lion bites in US average 3-4 per year

Statistic 120

In Australia, kangaroo bites/scratches hospitalize 500 yearly

Statistic 121

Fox bites transmit rabies in 20% of European wildlife cases

Statistic 122

In Alaska, moose bites injure 20 people yearly during rutting

Statistic 123

Scorpion bites (considered bites) number 1.5 million globally

Statistic 124

In Brazil, jaguar bites rare but 25 attacks 2000-2014

Statistic 125

Bobcat bites in US Southwest average 100 exposures yearly

Statistic 126

Seal bites infect with seal finger bacteria in 50% Arctic cases

Statistic 127

In Tanzania, lion bites kill 100-200 villagers yearly

Statistic 128

Skunk bites rare but rabies vector in 30% US wildlife tests

Statistic 129

Wolverine bites injure 10-20 miners yearly in Canada

1/129

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While you might think of a playful puppy or a purring cat as harmless companions, the staggering reality is that animal bites—from beloved pets to wild creatures—constitute a silent global epidemic of injury, infection, and financial cost, as revealed by statistics showing millions of incidents annually from dogs, cats, and beyond.

Key Takeaways

In the United States, approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur annually, with about 800,000 requiring medical attention
Dogs cause 80-90% of all animal bite injuries reported to emergency departments in the US each year
Children aged 5-9 years have the highest rate of dog bite-related emergency department visits at 60.2 per 100,000 population
Cat bites account for 10-15% of all animal bite injuries in US emergency rooms
Cat bites have a 50% infection rate, higher than dog bites at 20%
Pasteurella multocida is isolated in 75% of infected cat bites
Rodent bites, including rats, account for 1-2% of animal bites but 50% rat-bite fever cases
In urban US areas, rat bites number 50,000 annually, mostly children
Horse bites cause severe facial injuries in 70% of farm-related cases
In the US, 47,000 animal bite injuries treated in ERs in 2019, with dogs 60%, cats 15%
Globally, 29 million animal bite wounds occur yearly requiring treatment
In India, 17.4 million dog bites reported in 2019
Coyote bites in North America number 12,500 ER visits from 1990-2003
Raccoon bites transmit rabies in 1-3% of US wildlife exposures
In the US, bats cause 70% of human rabies cases from bites/scratches

Dog bites cause frequent injuries and cost millions, with children most affected.

Cat Bites

Cat bites account for 10-15% of all animal bite injuries in US emergency rooms
Cat bites have a 50% infection rate, higher than dog bites at 20%
Pasteurella multocida is isolated in 75% of infected cat bites
Women are bitten by cats 4 times more often than men due to handling
In the UK, cat bites lead to 20,000 GP visits annually
Cat scratches and bites cause cat scratch disease in 5-10% of cases
80% of cat bite infections are polymicrobial
Hand bites from cats require antibiotics in 90% of cases to prevent osteomyelitis
In Australia, cat bites hospitalize 1,500 people yearly
Elderly patients with cat bites have 30% hospitalization rate
Rabies transmission from cat bites is 15% in unvaccinated exposures
In France, 25,000 cat bites treated in ERs annually
Cat bites to the face cause deeper punctures in 60% of cases
In Japan, 10% of animal bites are from cats, with high antibiotic resistance
Diabetic patients with cat bites have 40% complication rate
In Canada, cat bites lead to 2,000 ER visits per year
35% of cat bites require surgical debridement
In India, stray cats cause 5% of rabies post-exposure prophylaxes
US cat bite lawsuits average $15,000 in settlements

Cat Bites Interpretation

Despite their aloof reputation, a cat's bite is a surprisingly serious biochemical attack, transforming a simple puncture into a polymicrobial ordeal that disproportionately targets the hands of women and the savings accounts of pet owners.

Dog Bites

In the United States, approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur annually, with about 800,000 requiring medical attention
Dogs cause 80-90% of all animal bite injuries reported to emergency departments in the US each year
Children aged 5-9 years have the highest rate of dog bite-related emergency department visits at 60.2 per 100,000 population
In 2021, dog bites resulted in 430 deaths in the US over the past 20 years, averaging 21 fatalities per year
Pit bull-type dogs were involved in 66% of fatal dog attacks in the US from 2005-2017
Male dogs are responsible for 74% of dog bite incidents reported
Unneutered male dogs account for 80% of reported bites in urban areas
Dog bites cost the US healthcare system $530 million annually in medical treatments
18% of dog bites in the US lead to infection, primarily from Pasteurella species
In the UK, dog bites hospitalize 6,000 children annually under age 14
Rottweilers ranked second in fatal dog attacks with 45 deaths from 1979-1998 in the US
52% of dog bite victims are children under 12 years old globally
In Australia, dog bites result in 13,000 hospital admissions yearly
Family dogs or dogs known to the victim cause 51% of fatal attacks in the US
Dog bites to the head and neck account for 65% of injuries in children under 10
In India, 20 million dog bites occur annually, with 59,000 rabies deaths linked
US dog bite claims paid out $881 million in 2022 by insurance companies
25% of dog bites in the elderly lead to hospitalization due to complications
Stray dogs cause 70% of bites in rural China
In Brazil, 500,000 dog bites are reported yearly to health services
Dog bites increase by 30% during full moon periods in some studies
In Canada, 7,000 dog bite hospitalizations occur annually
40% of dog bites are provoked by victim interaction
In South Africa, pit bulls involved in 53% of serious dog attacks
US military working dogs bite rates are 1.5 per 100 dog-years
In Turkey, 400,000 dog bites reported in 2019
Children bitten by dogs have 3.2 times higher PTSD risk post-incident
In the EU, dog bites cost €100 million yearly in treatments
15% of US dog bites involve multiple wounds requiring sutures
In Mexico, 70% of rabies cases from dog bites

Dog Bites Interpretation

While man's best friend may provide companionship for millions, these statistics starkly remind us that a powerful, often predictable bite lies uncomfortably close to that wagging tail, exacting a heavy toll on children, healthcare systems, and tragically, hundreds of lives.

Incidence

In the US, 47,000 animal bite injuries treated in ERs in 2019, with dogs 60%, cats 15%
Globally, 29 million animal bite wounds occur yearly requiring treatment
In India, 17.4 million dog bites reported in 2019
US rabies post-exposure prophylaxis given for 60,000 animal bites yearly
Children under 15 suffer 50% of global animal bite injuries
In Africa, 21,476 rabies deaths from animal bites annually
UK sees 250,000 animal bites yearly, 50% dogs
Brazil reports 440,000 animal bites to SINAN system in 2020
In China, 1.7 million Category III exposures (bites) for rabies PEP yearly
Australia has 2 bites per 1,000 population annually
Iran reports 1.1 million animal bites yearly
In the Philippines, 200,000 dog bites lead to PEP annually
Turkey sees 300,000 animal bites per year
Vietnam has 500,000 rabies exposures from bites yearly
In Ethiopia, 10,000 animal bite cases per million population
South Africa reports 300,000 dog-mediated bites annually
Thailand sees 750,000 animal bites yearly
In Russia, 400,000 bite cases trigger anti-rabies vaccinations
Mexico has 70,000 rabies PEP doses for bites annually
Globally, animal bites cause 59,000 rabies deaths yearly, 99% dogs

Incidence Interpretation

The sheer, global scale of animal bites reads like a morbidly creative atlas of affection gone awry, where man's best friend is paradoxically the leading vector of a preventable but still tragically fatal disease.

Other Domestic

Rodent bites, including rats, account for 1-2% of animal bites but 50% rat-bite fever cases
In urban US areas, rat bites number 50,000 annually, mostly children
Horse bites cause severe facial injuries in 70% of farm-related cases
Livestock bites (cows, pigs) lead to 10% crush injuries in rural ERs
Rabbit bites transmit tularemia in 1% of cases globally
In the UK, ferret bites cause 500 injuries yearly, often deep punctures
Guinea pig bites lead to lymphadenitis in 20% of pediatric cases
Monkey bites in US labs infect 1 in 1,000 workers yearly with herpes B
In Brazil, capybara bites cause 2,000 ER visits annually in wetlands
Sheep bites rare but cause tetanus in 5% unvaccinated shepherds
Hamster bites transmit lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in 0.5% cases
In Australia, kangaroo bites hospitalize 200 tourists yearly
Deer bites in hunting accidents number 1,000 US cases per year
Goat bites cause orbital fractures in 15% of farm injuries
Parrot bites lead to Pseudomonas infections in 25% avian handler cases
Pig bites transmit Streptococcus suis in 30% of agricultural workers
In India, buffalo bites cause 50,000 injuries yearly in rural areas
Coyote bites in urban California average 100 per year
Llama bites known for spitting but actual bites injure 500 US farms yearly
Snake bites (non-venomous) treated as punctures in 400,000 US cases annually

Other Domestic Interpretation

While rodents nibble lightly in the statistics, they pack a heavyweight punch in disease, proving that in the kingdom of animal bites, it's often the smallest assailants that leave the most profound and infectious mark.

Treatment

In the US, animal bites lead to 850,000 ER visits annually, costing $300 million
Rabies PEP administered to 29 million people globally post-bite yearly
20% of animal bites require surgical intervention like debridement
Prophylactic antibiotics reduce infection rates from 40% to 10% in high-risk bites
Tetanus booster needed for 60% of dirty animal bites
Hospitalization rates for animal bites are 1-2% overall, 15% for hand bites
Rabies immunoglobulin used in 40% of Category III exposures globally
Average cost of dog bite treatment in US is $20,000 for severe cases
Infection complications from bites lead to amputation in 0.1% cases
In low-income countries, 40% of bite victims receive no treatment
Wound irrigation reduces infection by 50% in bite management
Post-bite observation for rabies in animals: 10 days for dogs/cats
Antibiotic choice: Amoxicillin-clavulanate covers 95% of bite flora
Children with bites need follow-up in 70% of facial injuries
Global rabies vaccine demand post-bites: 15 million courses yearly
Bite wound cultures positive in 50% delayed presenters
In US, 30% of rabies PEP is unnecessary per retrospective reviews
Hyperbaric oxygen used in 5% of necrotizing bite infections
Average hospital stay for complicated bites: 5.2 days
Post-exposure rabies vaccine efficacy: 100% if timely

Treatment Interpretation

While the staggering costs and complications of animal bites might make you want to avoid nature entirely, the real takeaway is a masterclass in brutal irony: we spend millions on advanced treatments like hyperbaric oxygen and rabies immunoglobulin, yet the most consistently lifesaving interventions remain brutally simple—soap, water, and a timely tetanus shot.

Wildlife

Coyote bites in North America number 12,500 ER visits from 1990-2003
Raccoon bites transmit rabies in 1-3% of US wildlife exposures
In the US, bats cause 70% of human rabies cases from bites/scratches
Shark bites worldwide average 80 unprovoked attacks yearly, 5 fatal
In Africa, hyena bites injure 500 people annually in rural villages
US black bear bites average 40-50 incidents per year
Alligator bites in Florida number 300 yearly
In India, monkey bites cause 50,000 rabies exposures annually
Wolf bites rare, but 10 attacks in Europe 2002-2016
Mountain lion bites in US average 3-4 per year
In Australia, kangaroo bites/scratches hospitalize 500 yearly
Fox bites transmit rabies in 20% of European wildlife cases
In Alaska, moose bites injure 20 people yearly during rutting
Scorpion bites (considered bites) number 1.5 million globally
In Brazil, jaguar bites rare but 25 attacks 2000-2014
Bobcat bites in US Southwest average 100 exposures yearly
Seal bites infect with seal finger bacteria in 50% Arctic cases
In Tanzania, lion bites kill 100-200 villagers yearly
Skunk bites rare but rabies vector in 30% US wildlife tests
Wolverine bites injure 10-20 miners yearly in Canada

Wildlife Interpretation

Nature's lesson here is that our real dangers are not the dramatic predators we fear, but the mundane and rabid critters living in our shadow.

Sources & References

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