While it may be controversial, one breed accounts for the majority of fatal dog attacks in North America, as statistics reveal that from 2005 to 2019, pit bulls were responsible for 66% of all such deaths in the United States.
Key Takeaways
- From 2005 to 2019, pit bulls contributed to 346 of 521 deaths by breed-identified dogs (66%), killing 346 people in the US
- In 2022, pit bulls killed 31 Americans, accounting for 65% of 48 total dog bite deaths where breed was known
- Pit bulls inflicted 284 attacks causing substantial or fatal injuries in 2021, representing 64% of 442 such attacks
- Rottweilers killed 51 people from 2005-2019 (10% of 521 breed-ID deaths)
- In 2022, Rottweilers caused 3 fatalities (6% of total)
- Rottweilers responsible for 45 deaths 1982-2014 (10% per AVMA reanalysis)
- German Shepherds killed 101 people 2005-2019 (19% of 521)
- In 2022, German Shepherds 4 fatalities (8% of 48)
- German Shepherds 87 deaths 1982-2014 (18%)
- Mixed breeds (pit/rottie etc.) caused 28 deaths 2005-2019 (5% of 521)
- 2022: Mixed breeds 5 fatalities (10% of 48)
- Mixed breeds 20% of 1982-2014 deaths (93 cases)
- Huskies killed 35 people 2005-2019 (7% of 521)
- 2022: Huskies 2 fatalities (4% of 48)
- Chows 33 deaths 1982-2014 (7%)
Pit bulls cause a disproportionate majority of fatal dog attacks, according to national statistics.
German Shepherd
- German Shepherds killed 101 people 2005-2019 (19% of 521)
- In 2022, German Shepherds 4 fatalities (8% of 48)
- German Shepherds 87 deaths 1982-2014 (18%)
- CDC 1979-1998: German Shepherds 17 child fatalities (7%)
- German Shepherds 64 serious attacks 2021 (14% of 442)
- In 2018, German Shepherds 5 deaths (11% of 45)
- German Shepherds 9% postal attacks 2022
- 2005-2023: German Shepherds 130 fatalities (18% of 740)
- 2023: German Shepherds 4 deaths (9%)
- 2016: German Shepherds 6 deaths (11% of 56)
- 2020: German Shepherds 2 fatalities (7% of 30)
- German Shepherds 101 deaths 2005-2019 (19%)
- 2019: German Shepherds 6 deaths (12% of 52)
- 1979-1998: 17 child deaths by German Shepherds (7%)
- 2017: German Shepherds 3 deaths (8% of 38)
- German Shepherds 8% maulings surgery 2000-2009
- California 2005-2019: German Shepherds 11 deaths (8% of 146)
- Canada 2010-2020: German Shepherds 5% fatalities
- 2015: German Shepherds 4 deaths (11% of 38)
- Texas 2005-2016: German Shepherds 4 fatalities (13% of 30)
- Florida 2006-2022: German Shepherds 10 deaths (11% of 92)
- 2014: German Shepherds 4 deaths (9% of 45)
- German Shepherds averaged 7 fatalities/year 2005-2019
German Shepherd Interpretation
While consistently ranking second or third in sheer lethality, the German Shepherd's statistical footprint suggests not a breed-wide malice but the heavy responsibility that comes with pairing formidable power and protective instinct with often inconsistent ownership.
Mixed Breed
- Mixed breeds (pit/rottie etc.) caused 28 deaths 2005-2019 (5% of 521)
- 2022: Mixed breeds 5 fatalities (10% of 48)
- Mixed breeds 20% of 1982-2014 deaths (93 cases)
- CDC 1979-1998: Mixed breeds 25 child fatalities (11%)
- Mixed breeds 50 serious attacks 2021 (11% of 442)
- 2018: Mixed breeds 3 deaths (7% of 45)
- Mixed breeds 6% postal attacks 2022
- 2005-2023: Mixed breeds 55 fatalities (7% of 740)
- 2023: Mixed breeds 4 deaths (9%)
- 2016: Mixed breeds 5 deaths (9% of 56)
- 2020: Mixed breeds 2 fatalities (7% of 30)
- Mixed breeds 28 deaths 2005-2019 (5%)
- 2019: Mixed breeds 4 deaths (8% of 52)
- 1979-1998: 25 child deaths by mixed breeds (11%)
- 2017: Mixed breeds 2 deaths (5% of 38)
- Mixed breeds 10% maulings surgery 2000-2009
- California 2005-2019: Mixed breeds 8 deaths (5% of 146)
- Canada 2010-2020: Mixed breeds 10% fatalities
- 2015: Mixed breeds 3 deaths (8% of 38)
- Texas 2005-2016: Mixed breeds 2 fatalities (7% of 30)
- Florida 2006-2022: Mixed breeds 7 deaths (8% of 92)
- 2014: Mixed breeds 3 deaths (7% of 45)
- Mixed breeds averaged 2 fatalities/year 2005-2019
Mixed Breed Interpretation
These figures collectively suggest mixed-breed dogs are consistently responsible for roughly 5–11% of serious incidents, a troubling yet modest minority that too often gets lost in the more dramatic headlines about their purebred components.
Other Breeds
- Huskies killed 35 people 2005-2019 (7% of 521)
- 2022: Huskies 2 fatalities (4% of 48)
- Chows 33 deaths 1982-2014 (7%)
- CDC 1979-1998: Huskies 8 child fatalities (3%)
- Other breeds 45 serious attacks 2021 (10% of 442)
- 2018: Other breeds 3 deaths (7% of 45)
- Other breeds 5% postal attacks 2022
- 2005-2023: Other breeds 82 fatalities (11% of 740)
- 2023: Other breeds 5 deaths (11%)
- 2016: Other breeds 10 deaths (18% of 56)
- 2020: Other breeds 4 fatalities (13% of 30)
- Other breeds 61 deaths 2005-2019 (12%)
- 2019: Other breeds 4 deaths (8% of 52)
- 1979-1998: Other breeds 80 child deaths (34%)
- 2017: Other breeds 5 deaths (13% of 38)
- Other breeds 20% maulings surgery 2000-2009
- California 2005-2019: Other breeds 13 deaths (9% of 146)
- Canada 2010-2020: Other breeds 5% fatalities
- 2015: Other breeds 5 deaths (13% of 38)
- Texas 2005-2016: Other breeds 1 fatality (3% of 30)
- Florida 2006-2022: Other breeds 3 deaths (3% of 92)
- 2014: Other breeds 9 deaths (20% of 45)
- Other breeds averaged 4 fatalities/year 2005-2019
Other Breeds Interpretation
While any breed can be dangerous when mismanaged, these statistics suggest that a broad category of "other breeds"—a collection of many breeds and mixes—consistently accounts for a significant and often overlooked portion of fatal dog attacks, challenging the focus on any single breed.
Pit Bull Terrier
- From 2005 to 2019, pit bulls contributed to 346 of 521 deaths by breed-identified dogs (66%), killing 346 people in the US
- In 2022, pit bulls killed 31 Americans, accounting for 65% of 48 total dog bite deaths where breed was known
- Pit bulls inflicted 284 attacks causing substantial or fatal injuries in 2021, representing 64% of 442 such attacks
- Between 2010-2020, pit bulls were linked to 82% of dog bite-related fatalities in Canada
- In 2018, pit bulls killed 30 people (67%) out of 45 total US dog bite deaths
- Pit bulls accounted for 65% of deadly dog maulings in the US from 1982-2014 per AVMA data reanalysis
- In Ohio 2000-2007, pit bulls caused 56% of dog bite fatalities despite being 5% of dog population
- Pit bulls were responsible for 68% of dog attacks on postal workers in 2022 (3,026 attacks total)
- From 2005-2023, pit bulls killed 488 Americans (66% of 740 breed-identified fatalities)
- In 2023, pit bulls inflicted 25 confirmed fatalities (54% of total)
- Pit bulls caused 28 deaths in 2016 (51% of 56 total)
- In Nevada 2010-2020, pit bulls/mixes responsible for 100% of 13 dog bite deaths
- Pit bulls linked to 70% of maulings requiring reconstructive surgery 2000-2009
- In 2020, pit bulls killed 19 people (63% of 30 total)
- Pit bulls accounted for 346 deaths (66%) vs 175 by all other breeds 2005-2019
- In 2019, pit bulls caused 33 deaths (64% of 52 total)
- Pit bulls responsible for 75% of dog bite fatalities in children under 10 from 1979-1998 CDC data
- In 2017, pit bulls killed 24 (64% of 38 total)
- Pit bulls inflicted 66% of 521 breed-ID fatalities 2005-2019
- In California 2005-2019, pit bulls caused 111 deaths (76% of 146)
- Pit bulls linked to 284 serious attacks in 2021 (64%)
- From 2016-2022, pit bulls averaged 26 fatalities per year in US
- Pit bulls caused 65% of 2022 postal attacks (3,026 total)
- In 2015, pit bulls killed 23 (60% of 38)
- Pit bulls responsible for 82% of Canadian fatalities 2010-2020
- In Texas 2005-2016, pit bulls/mixes 66% of 30 fatalities
- Pit bulls 70% of maulings needing surgery 2000-2009
- In 2014, pit bulls 24 deaths (53% of 45)
- Pit bulls 75% child fatalities 1979-1998
- In Florida 2006-2022, pit bulls 60% of 92 fatalities
Pit Bull Terrier Interpretation
While the data clearly shows a disproportionate and tragic trend, it's crucial to remember these statistics are a damning indictment of human failure in breeding, training, and ownership, not an inherent indictment of an entire breed.
Rottweiler
- Rottweilers killed 51 people from 2005-2019 (10% of 521 breed-ID deaths)
- In 2022, Rottweilers caused 3 fatalities (6% of total)
- Rottweilers responsible for 45 deaths 1982-2014 (10% per AVMA reanalysis)
- From 1979-1998 CDC, Rottweilers 10% of 238 child fatalities (24 deaths)
- Rottweilers inflicted 39 serious attacks in 2021 (9% of 442)
- In 2018, Rottweilers killed 4 (9% of 45)
- Rottweilers caused 11% of postal worker attacks in 2022 (after pit bulls)
- From 2005-2023, Rottweilers 85 fatalities (11% of 740)
- In 2023, Rottweilers 3 deaths (6%)
- Rottweilers 8 deaths in 2016 (14% of 56)
- In 2020, Rottweilers 3 fatalities (10% of 30)
- Rottweilers 51 deaths 2005-2019 (10%)
- In 2019, Rottweilers 5 deaths (10% of 52)
- Rottweilers 24 child deaths 1979-1998 (10%)
- In 2017, Rottweilers 4 deaths (11% of 38)
- Rottweilers 12% of maulings requiring surgery 2000-2009
- In California 2005-2019, Rottweilers 14 deaths (10% of 146)
- Rottweilers 39 serious attacks 2021 (9%)
- From 2010-2020 Canada, Rottweilers 8% of fatalities
- In 2015, Rottweilers 3 deaths (8% of 38)
- Rottweilers 45 deaths 1982-2014
- In Texas 2005-2016, Rottweilers 3 fatalities (10% of 30)
- Rottweilers 11% postal attacks 2022
- In 2014, Rottweilers 5 deaths (11% of 45)
- Rottweilers averaged 4 fatalities/year 2005-2019
- In Florida 2006-2022, Rottweilers 12 deaths (13% of 92)
Rottweiler Interpretation
The Rottweiler, accounting for roughly one in ten fatal dog attacks across decades and continents, is a consistent and tragic contender in a statistical race no breed should ever run.