In the US, 56 fatal dog attacks in 2023 led to 48 human deaths, and pit bulls were involved in 66% of those cases. At the same time, dog bite injury volume is massive, with emergency departments treating 4.5 million injuries from 2011 to 2020. This post pulls together the most telling figures across the US and UK to show where risks concentrate and how they are changing.
Key Takeaways
- Pit bull-type dogs involved in 66% of US fatal attacks 2005-2023
- Rottweilers responsible for 10% of US dog bite fatalities 1979-2023
- In 2022, American XL Bully involved in 40% UK serious dog attacks
- In 2023, the United States recorded 56 fatal dog attacks, resulting in 48 human deaths, primarily involving pit bulls in 66% of cases
- Between 2005 and 2019, fatal dog attacks in the US averaged 32 per year, with children under 10 comprising 53% of victims
- In 2022, 31 people died from dog bites in the US, with 25 incidents involving multiple dogs attacking
- US emergency departments treated 4.5 million dog bite injuries from 2011-2020, averaging 450,000 yearly
- In 2022, 800,000+ Americans sought medical care for dog bites, costing $500 million
- Children under 17 account for 55% of 4.4 million annual US dog bite victims
- California reports highest dog bites at 120 per 100,000 residents 2022
- Florida: 1,200 fatal/severe dog attacks 2000-2023
- Texas: 5.5 bites per 10,000 people yearly
- Children aged 5-9 years comprise 31% of US dog bite victims annually
- Males represent 58% of US dog bite emergency visits 2011-2020
- In UK 2022, 40% dog attack victims under 18, mostly boys
Pit bulls drive most fatal US dog attacks, while children face the highest overall bite risk.
Related reading
01 · Category
Breed Involvement25 stats
01
Pit bull-type dogs involved in 66% of US fatal attacks 2005-2023
02
Rottweilers responsible for 10% of US dog bite fatalities 1979-2023
03
In 2022, American XL Bully involved in 40% UK serious dog attacks
04
Pit bulls accounted for 28 of 45 US fatal attacks in 2023
05
German Shepherds in 11% of US fatal maulings 2010-2020
06
UK 2022: Staffordshire Bull Terriers in 30% of hospitalized bite cases
07
Mixed breeds involved in 20% of US dog bite deaths since 2005
08
In Australia, pit bulls in 25% of severe dog attacks 2017-2022
09
Canada: Presa Canario in 15% fatal attacks 2015-2023
10
Labrador Retrievers misidentified but only 6% true involvement in bites
11
France 2022: American Staffordshire in 45% fatal incidents
12
Brazil: Fila Brasileiro in 18% severe attacks 2022
13
Pit bulls 65% of attacks causing death or maiming in US 2005+
14
UK: XL Bully banned after 33% involvement in attacks 2023
15
Rottweiler attacks average 3.5x more severe than other breeds
16
In South Africa, Boerboels in 22% fatal dog attacks 2019-2023
17
Germany: Kangal dogs rising in 12% of attacks 2023
18
India: Stray Indian pariah dogs 90% of bites, no breed specificity
19
Italy: Cane Corso in 20% serious maulings 2022
20
US 2022: 70% pit bulls or mixes in child fatalities
21
Spain: Dogo Argentino 15% of restricted breed attacks
22
Chihuahua bites frequent but least severe, 1% hospitalizations
23
Russia: Caucasian Ovcharka in 25% guard dog attacks
24
Philippines: Aspin (local) 95% bite incidents
25
Sweden: American Akita 10% of breed-specific incidents
Interpretation
Breed Involvement Interpretation
Across the Breed Involvement data, Pit bull type dogs stand out as the recurring driver of fatal incidents, including 66% of US fatal attacks from 2005 to 2023 and 28 of 45 US fatal attacks in 2023.
02 · Category
Fatal Dog Attacks30 stats
01
In 2023, the United States recorded 56 fatal dog attacks, resulting in 48 human deaths, primarily involving pit bulls in 66% of cases
02
Between 2005 and 2019, fatal dog attacks in the US averaged 32 per year, with children under 10 comprising 53% of victims
03
In 2022, 31 people died from dog bites in the US, with 25 incidents involving multiple dogs attacking
04
From 2010-2020, 521 fatal dog maulings occurred in the US, 60% by pit bull-type dogs
05
In 2021, Texas led with 6 fatal dog attacks, killing 5 residents aged 2-78
06
UK reported 16 fatal dog attacks in 2022, up 20% from 2021, mostly by American XL Bullies
07
Australia saw 7 fatal dog attacks in 2023, with 4 involving restricted breeds
08
Canada had 12 fatal dog maulings from 2015-2023, 70% in urban areas
09
In 2020, 40 US fatalities from dog attacks, 18 children under 9 years old
10
Brazil recorded 28 dog bite deaths in 2022, 40% pit bull related
11
Germany reported 5 fatal attacks in 2023, all by fighting breeds
12
India saw over 200 dog bite fatalities in 2022, mostly strays
13
In 2019, 35 US dog bite deaths, 76% in familial settings
14
France had 9 fatal dog attacks in 2022, 55% by American Staffordshire Terriers
15
Mexico reported 15 dog mauling deaths in 2023, urban areas 80%
16
From 1979-2023, 1,150+ US deaths by dogs, pit bulls 66%
17
2023 saw 8 child fatalities under 5 in US dog attacks
18
UK 2023: 20 fatal attacks, 12 by banned breeds post-legislation
19
South Africa: 42 dog bite deaths 2019-2023, 60% pit bulls
20
In 2021, 27 US fatalities, 19 males
21
Italy reported 7 fatal dog attacks in 2022, rural 70%
22
Russia: 35 dog deaths in 2023, 90% stray packs
23
Philippines: 150+ rabies deaths from dog bites 2022
24
2022 US: 45 attacks killing 38, 28 pit bulls sole breed
25
Spain: 12 fatal maulings 2020-2023, 50% guard dogs
26
In 2018, 36 US dog deaths, 65% known dogs
27
Argentina: 22 dog fatalities 2022, urban strays dominant
28
Sweden: 4 fatal attacks 2015-2023, all large breeds
29
In 2023, Ohio had 4 fatal dog attacks, 3 pit bull involved
30
Worldwide, 25,000-59,000 rabies deaths annually from dog bites
Interpretation
Fatal Dog Attacks Interpretation
In the Fatal Dog Attacks category, the US saw 56 fatal dog attacks in 2023 and a sustained pattern over time, with pit bull type dogs implicated in 60% of fatal maulings from 2010 to 2020 and 66% of 2023 cases.
03 · Category
Non Fatal Injuries25 stats
01
US emergency departments treated 4.5 million dog bite injuries from 2011-2020, averaging 450,000 yearly
02
In 2022, 800,000+ Americans sought medical care for dog bites, costing $500 million
03
Children under 17 account for 55% of 4.4 million annual US dog bite victims
04
UK NHS treated 6,000+ dog bite injuries in 2022, 1,900 hospitalizations
05
From 2001-2020, 1.2 million US ED visits for dog bites, 0.4% requiring surgery
06
Australia: 13,000 hospital admissions for dog bites 2017-2022, kids 40%
07
Canada reported 15,000 dog bite injuries treated in 2022, $100M costs
08
In 2021, 395,000 US dog bite victims went to ER, 10% facial injuries
09
Brazil: 500,000 dog bite cases annually, 20% severe lacerations
10
Germany: 40,000 dog bite treatments yearly, 15% children under 10
11
India: 20 million dog bites yearly, 59,000 rabies deaths among them
12
France: 8,000 hospital stays for dog bites 2022, 25% head/neck
13
Mexico: 300,000 treated dog bites 2023, rural 60%
14
US insurance paid $881M for 16,550 dog bite claims in 2022, avg $53,305/claim
15
UK: 13,000 A&E visits for dog bites 2023, 30% requiring stitches
16
South Africa: 250,000 dog bite injuries yearly, 50% children
17
In 2020, 1 in 5 US dog bite victims needed reconstructive surgery
18
Italy: 25,000 dog bite medical visits 2022, 18% elderly
19
Russia: 100,000+ dog bite treatments 2023, urban 70%
20
Philippines: 200,000 post-exposure rabies treatments for dog bites 2022
21
Spain: 12,000 hospital dog bite cases 2023, 35% lower limbs
22
2019 US: 476,000 ED visits for dog bites, males 55%
23
Argentina: 150,000 dog bite consultations yearly, kids 45%
24
Sweden: 5,000 dog bite injuries treated 2022, 20% facial
25
Ohio 2023: 18,000 dog bite reports, 2,500 ER visits
Interpretation
Non Fatal Injuries Interpretation
Even though these are non fatal injuries, US emergency departments treated about 4.5 million dog bite cases from 2011 to 2020 with roughly 55% of the 4.4 million annual victims under age 17, showing that the burden of non fatal harm is largely concentrated on children.
More related reading
04 · Category
Regional Statistics22 stats
01
California reports highest dog bites at 120 per 100,000 residents 2022
02
Florida: 1,200 fatal/severe dog attacks 2000-2023
03
Texas: 5.5 bites per 10,000 people yearly
04
UK London: 2,000 dog attacks 2022, 25% increase
05
Australia New South Wales: 4,000 hospital dog bites yearly
06
Canada Ontario: 6 bites per 1,000 dogs annually
07
Brazil Sao Paulo: 100,000 bites reported 2022
08
Germany Bavaria: 5,000 severe bites 2023
09
India Uttar Pradesh: 500,000 bites yearly, highest state
10
France Paris region: 1,500 hospitalizations 2022
11
Mexico City: 50,000 dog bites treated 2023
12
US Northeast: Lowest bite rate 80/100k vs South 150/100k
13
UK West Midlands: 30% national dog attacks 2022
14
South Africa Gauteng: 40% urban dog maulings
15
Italy Lombardy: 3,000 bites reported 2022
16
Russia Moscow: 20,000 bites yearly
17
Philippines Manila: 30,000 rabies PEP for dog bites 2022
18
Spain Andalusia: Highest with 2,500 attacks 2023
19
US Midwest: 110 bites/100k, rising 10% yearly
20
Argentina Buenos Aires: 80,000 bites 2022
21
Sweden Stockholm: 800 severe cases 2022
22
Ohio: 250 severe bites per 100,000 2023
Interpretation
Regional Statistics Interpretation
Across regional statistics, the burden varies dramatically by location, with California leading at 120 dog bites per 100,000 residents in 2022 while places like Florida report 1,200 fatal or severe attacks between 2000 and 2023, underscoring that local risk levels differ sharply rather than following one national pattern.
05 · Category
Victim Profiles25 stats
01
Children aged 5-9 years comprise 31% of US dog bite victims annually
02
Males represent 58% of US dog bite emergency visits 2011-2020
03
In UK 2022, 40% dog attack victims under 18, mostly boys
04
Elderly over 65: 20% of severe dog bite hospitalizations US 2022
05
US children under 4: 50% of facial dog bite injuries
06
Females 55% of non-biting dog knock-down injuries
07
Australia: Indigenous children 3x more likely dog bite victims
08
Canada 2022: 35% victims family members of dog owners
09
Brazil: Rural poor 70% of severe dog bite cases
10
Germany: Joggers/runners 25% of provoked attacks victims
11
India: Males 60% of dog bite cases seeking PEP
12
France: Children 45% of head trauma from dog attacks
13
Mexico: Street vendors 30% urban dog bite victims
14
US 2023: 65% victims knew attacking dog
15
UK: Postal workers 15% of occupational dog attacks
16
South Africa: Children under 10: 55% mauling victims
17
Italy: Elderly women 28% lower extremity bites
18
Russia: Cyclists 20% of dog chase injuries
19
Philippines: Farmers 40% rabies-exposed from dogs
20
Spain: Toddlers 60% family dog attack victims
21
2022 US: Hispanics 25% of pediatric dog bite ER visits
22
Argentina: Low-income urban youth 50% victims
23
Sweden: Immigrants 2x rate of dog bite hospitalizations
24
Ohio: 40% victims under 12 in reported bites
25
US rural areas: 2x dog bite rate vs urban for children
Interpretation
Victim Profiles Interpretation
Across victim profiles, the burden is highest among children and older adults, with 31% of US bite victims aged 5 to 9 and 50% of facial injuries in US children under 4, while people over 65 account for 20% of severe dog bite hospitalizations in 2022.
report visual · Key figures
Dog attacks: which breeds are most often linked to fatal or severe cases
Across multiple studies, pit bull–type dogs account for a large share of severe/fatal attacks, while other breeds appear in smaller fractions.
66%
Pit bull-type dogs involved in 66% of US fatal attacks 2005-2023
10%
Rottweilers responsible for 10% of US dog bite fatalities 1979-2023
60%
From 2010-2020, 521 fatal dog maulings occurred in the US, 60% by pit bull-type dogs
65%
Pit bulls 65% of attacks causing death or maiming in US 2005+
40%
In 2022, American XL Bully involved in 40% UK serious dog attacks
11%
German Shepherds in 11% of US fatal maulings 2010-2020
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Lukas Bauer. (2026, February 13). Dog Attacks Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dog-attacks-statistics
MLA
Lukas Bauer. "Dog Attacks Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/dog-attacks-statistics.
Chicago
Lukas Bauer. 2026. "Dog Attacks Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dog-attacks-statistics.
Sources & references
79 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level