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
1German Shepherds killed 101 people 2005-2019 (19% of 521)
Verified2In 2022, German Shepherds 4 fatalities (8% of 48)
Verified3German Shepherds 87 deaths 1982-2014 (18%)
Verified4CDC 1979-1998: German Shepherds 17 child fatalities (7%)
Directional5German Shepherds 64 serious attacks 2021 (14% of 442)
Single source6In 2018, German Shepherds 5 deaths (11% of 45)
Verified7German Shepherds 9% postal attacks 2022
Verified82005-2023: German Shepherds 130 fatalities (18% of 740)
Verified92023: German Shepherds 4 deaths (9%)
Directional102016: German Shepherds 6 deaths (11% of 56)
Single source112020: German Shepherds 2 fatalities (7% of 30)
Verified12German Shepherds 101 deaths 2005-2019 (19%)
Verified132019: German Shepherds 6 deaths (12% of 52)
Verified141979-1998: 17 child deaths by German Shepherds (7%)
Directional152017: German Shepherds 3 deaths (8% of 38)
Single source16German Shepherds 8% maulings surgery 2000-2009
Verified17California 2005-2019: German Shepherds 11 deaths (8% of 146)
Verified18Canada 2010-2020: German Shepherds 5% fatalities
Verified192015: German Shepherds 4 deaths (11% of 38)
Directional20Texas 2005-2016: German Shepherds 4 fatalities (13% of 30)
Single source21Florida 2006-2022: German Shepherds 10 deaths (11% of 92)
Verified222014: German Shepherds 4 deaths (9% of 45)
Verified23German Shepherds averaged 7 fatalities/year 2005-2019
VerifiedGerman 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
1Mixed breeds (pit/rottie etc.) caused 28 deaths 2005-2019 (5% of 521)
Verified22022: Mixed breeds 5 fatalities (10% of 48)
Verified3Mixed breeds 20% of 1982-2014 deaths (93 cases)
Verified4CDC 1979-1998: Mixed breeds 25 child fatalities (11%)
Directional5Mixed breeds 50 serious attacks 2021 (11% of 442)
Single source62018: Mixed breeds 3 deaths (7% of 45)
Verified7Mixed breeds 6% postal attacks 2022
Verified82005-2023: Mixed breeds 55 fatalities (7% of 740)
Verified92023: Mixed breeds 4 deaths (9%)
Directional102016: Mixed breeds 5 deaths (9% of 56)
Single source112020: Mixed breeds 2 fatalities (7% of 30)
Verified12Mixed breeds 28 deaths 2005-2019 (5%)
Verified132019: Mixed breeds 4 deaths (8% of 52)
Verified141979-1998: 25 child deaths by mixed breeds (11%)
Directional152017: Mixed breeds 2 deaths (5% of 38)
Single source16Mixed breeds 10% maulings surgery 2000-2009
Verified17California 2005-2019: Mixed breeds 8 deaths (5% of 146)
Verified18Canada 2010-2020: Mixed breeds 10% fatalities
Verified192015: Mixed breeds 3 deaths (8% of 38)
Directional20Texas 2005-2016: Mixed breeds 2 fatalities (7% of 30)
Single source21Florida 2006-2022: Mixed breeds 7 deaths (8% of 92)
Verified222014: Mixed breeds 3 deaths (7% of 45)
Verified23Mixed breeds averaged 2 fatalities/year 2005-2019
VerifiedMixed 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
1Huskies killed 35 people 2005-2019 (7% of 521)
Verified22022: Huskies 2 fatalities (4% of 48)
Verified3Chows 33 deaths 1982-2014 (7%)
Verified4CDC 1979-1998: Huskies 8 child fatalities (3%)
Directional5Other breeds 45 serious attacks 2021 (10% of 442)
Single source62018: Other breeds 3 deaths (7% of 45)
Verified7Other breeds 5% postal attacks 2022
Verified82005-2023: Other breeds 82 fatalities (11% of 740)
Verified92023: Other breeds 5 deaths (11%)
Directional102016: Other breeds 10 deaths (18% of 56)
Single source112020: Other breeds 4 fatalities (13% of 30)
Verified12Other breeds 61 deaths 2005-2019 (12%)
Verified132019: Other breeds 4 deaths (8% of 52)
Verified141979-1998: Other breeds 80 child deaths (34%)
Directional152017: Other breeds 5 deaths (13% of 38)
Single source16Other breeds 20% maulings surgery 2000-2009
Verified17California 2005-2019: Other breeds 13 deaths (9% of 146)
Verified18Canada 2010-2020: Other breeds 5% fatalities
Verified192015: Other breeds 5 deaths (13% of 38)
Directional20Texas 2005-2016: Other breeds 1 fatality (3% of 30)
Single source21Florida 2006-2022: Other breeds 3 deaths (3% of 92)
Verified222014: Other breeds 9 deaths (20% of 45)
Verified23Other breeds averaged 4 fatalities/year 2005-2019
VerifiedOther 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
1From 2005 to 2019, pit bulls contributed to 346 of 521 deaths by breed-identified dogs (66%), killing 346 people in the US
Verified2In 2022, pit bulls killed 31 Americans, accounting for 65% of 48 total dog bite deaths where breed was known
Verified3Pit bulls inflicted 284 attacks causing substantial or fatal injuries in 2021, representing 64% of 442 such attacks
Verified4Between 2010-2020, pit bulls were linked to 82% of dog bite-related fatalities in Canada
Directional5In 2018, pit bulls killed 30 people (67%) out of 45 total US dog bite deaths
Single source6Pit bulls accounted for 65% of deadly dog maulings in the US from 1982-2014 per AVMA data reanalysis
Verified7In Ohio 2000-2007, pit bulls caused 56% of dog bite fatalities despite being 5% of dog population
Verified8Pit bulls were responsible for 68% of dog attacks on postal workers in 2022 (3,026 attacks total)
Verified9From 2005-2023, pit bulls killed 488 Americans (66% of 740 breed-identified fatalities)
Directional10In 2023, pit bulls inflicted 25 confirmed fatalities (54% of total)
Single source11Pit bulls caused 28 deaths in 2016 (51% of 56 total)
Verified12In Nevada 2010-2020, pit bulls/mixes responsible for 100% of 13 dog bite deaths
Verified13Pit bulls linked to 70% of maulings requiring reconstructive surgery 2000-2009
Verified14In 2020, pit bulls killed 19 people (63% of 30 total)
Directional15Pit bulls accounted for 346 deaths (66%) vs 175 by all other breeds 2005-2019
Single source16In 2019, pit bulls caused 33 deaths (64% of 52 total)
Verified17Pit bulls responsible for 75% of dog bite fatalities in children under 10 from 1979-1998 CDC data
Verified18In 2017, pit bulls killed 24 (64% of 38 total)
Verified19Pit bulls inflicted 66% of 521 breed-ID fatalities 2005-2019
Directional20In California 2005-2019, pit bulls caused 111 deaths (76% of 146)
Single source21Pit bulls linked to 284 serious attacks in 2021 (64%)
Verified22From 2016-2022, pit bulls averaged 26 fatalities per year in US
Verified23Pit bulls caused 65% of 2022 postal attacks (3,026 total)
Verified24In 2015, pit bulls killed 23 (60% of 38)
Directional25Pit bulls responsible for 82% of Canadian fatalities 2010-2020
Single source26In Texas 2005-2016, pit bulls/mixes 66% of 30 fatalities
Verified27Pit bulls 70% of maulings needing surgery 2000-2009
Verified28In 2014, pit bulls 24 deaths (53% of 45)
Verified29Pit bulls 75% child fatalities 1979-1998
Directional30In Florida 2006-2022, pit bulls 60% of 92 fatalities
Single sourcePit 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
1Rottweilers killed 51 people from 2005-2019 (10% of 521 breed-ID deaths)
Verified2In 2022, Rottweilers caused 3 fatalities (6% of total)
Verified3Rottweilers responsible for 45 deaths 1982-2014 (10% per AVMA reanalysis)
Verified4From 1979-1998 CDC, Rottweilers 10% of 238 child fatalities (24 deaths)
Directional5Rottweilers inflicted 39 serious attacks in 2021 (9% of 442)
Single source6In 2018, Rottweilers killed 4 (9% of 45)
Verified7Rottweilers caused 11% of postal worker attacks in 2022 (after pit bulls)
Verified8From 2005-2023, Rottweilers 85 fatalities (11% of 740)
Verified9In 2023, Rottweilers 3 deaths (6%)
Directional10Rottweilers 8 deaths in 2016 (14% of 56)
Single source11In 2020, Rottweilers 3 fatalities (10% of 30)
Verified12Rottweilers 51 deaths 2005-2019 (10%)
Verified13In 2019, Rottweilers 5 deaths (10% of 52)
Verified14Rottweilers 24 child deaths 1979-1998 (10%)
Directional15In 2017, Rottweilers 4 deaths (11% of 38)
Single source16Rottweilers 12% of maulings requiring surgery 2000-2009
Verified17In California 2005-2019, Rottweilers 14 deaths (10% of 146)
Verified18Rottweilers 39 serious attacks 2021 (9%)
Verified19From 2010-2020 Canada, Rottweilers 8% of fatalities
Directional20In 2015, Rottweilers 3 deaths (8% of 38)
Single source21Rottweilers 45 deaths 1982-2014
Verified22In Texas 2005-2016, Rottweilers 3 fatalities (10% of 30)
Verified23Rottweilers 11% postal attacks 2022
Verified24In 2014, Rottweilers 5 deaths (11% of 45)
Directional25Rottweilers averaged 4 fatalities/year 2005-2019
Single source26In Florida 2006-2022, Rottweilers 12 deaths (13% of 92)
VerifiedRottweiler 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.