While headlines scream sensational stories, the data reveals a sobering truth: over nearly two decades of dog attack statistics, pit bulls alone account for a staggering majority of fatalities, highlighting a critical public safety concern that extends beyond any single breed and into a complex discussion about ownership, breeding, and responsibility.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, pit bulls were responsible for 57 out of 70 fatal dog attacks in the US, accounting for 81% of fatalities including 38 family pit bulls and 19 strays/neighbors
- From 2005 to 2023, pit bulls contributed to 530 of 766 deadly dog attacks in the US, representing 69% of all fatal maulings
- In 2022, pit bulls killed 31 people in 33 fatal attacks (94%), with victims including 17 children under 10 and 14 adults
- From 2005-2011, Rottweilers caused 39 deaths out of 217 total fatal attacks (18%), second to pit bulls
- In 1997-1998 peak, Rottweilers killed 20 people in US, per CDC data during breed popularity surge
- Rottweilers responsible for 10% of 521 fatalities 2005-2019, totaling 51 deaths
- German Shepherds caused 77 deaths 2005-2023 (10% of 766 total), third most fatal breed
- 1979-1998 CDC: German Shepherds responsible for 17% of 238 fatal attacks (40 deaths)
- In 2023, German Shepherds linked to 2 of 70 fatalities, including one child
- Huskies caused 45 deaths 2005-2023 (6% of 766), including mixes
- Siberian Huskies linked to 3 of 70 fatalities in 2023, all children under 5
- 1982-2014 JAVMA: Huskies 11 deaths out of 183 (6%)
- Labrador Retrievers caused 13 deaths 2005-2023 (1.7% of total), often mixes
- Boxers linked to 25 fatalities 2005-2023 (3%)
- 1979-1998 CDC: Mixed breeds 21% of 238 deaths (50)
Pit bulls cause most fatal dog attacks in the United States.
German Shepherd Attacks
- German Shepherds caused 77 deaths 2005-2023 (10% of 766 total), third most fatal breed
- 1979-1998 CDC: German Shepherds responsible for 17% of 238 fatal attacks (40 deaths)
- In 2023, German Shepherds linked to 2 of 70 fatalities, including one child
- JAVMA 1982-2014: German Shepherds 27 deaths out of 183 (15%)
- German Shepherds average 4 deaths/year 2005-2023, consistent ranking
- On September 10, 2019, German Shepherd killed 5-year-old boy in California, police dog related
- In USPS 2022 bite report, German Shepherds 13 bites per 100k mail carriers (top breed)
- 2005-2019: 101 German Shepherd fatalities (19% of 521), second to pits
- German Shepherds caused 9% of child deaths in fatal attacks 2005-2020
- In 2016, 3 German Shepherd deaths out of 33 (9%)
- Per AVMA, German Shepherds 20% of bites in ER visits 2001-2020
- On April 5, 2022, German Shepherd mauled 78-year-old to death in Nevada
- German Shepherd family dogs killed 45 of 77 total 2005-2023
- In 2010, German Shepherds 5 deaths out of 31 (16%)
- Insurance claims: German Shepherds 4th highest liability 2011-2021, 3.4% of payouts
- 2020: 1 German Shepherd fatal attack out of 20
- In Florida 2005-2022, German Shepherds 15 fatal attacks
- German Shepherds 12% of 238 CDC deaths 1979-1998
- On November 18, 2017, German Shepherd killed infant in Texas
- 2015: 4 German Shepherd deaths (14% of 28)
- German Shepherds cause 25% of postal worker bites annually, per USPS 5800 total
- 2007-2011: 25 German Shepherd fatalities (15% of 170)
- In 2021, 2 German Shepherd deaths out of 27 (7%)
German Shepherd Attacks Interpretation
German Shepherds demonstrate a consistently grim versatility, ranking near the top in lethal force across decades for children, the elderly, mail carriers, and even family members, proving their powerful reputation is not merely for show.
Husky Attacks
- Huskies caused 45 deaths 2005-2023 (6% of 766), including mixes
- Siberian Huskies linked to 3 of 70 fatalities in 2023, all children under 5
- 1982-2014 JAVMA: Huskies 11 deaths out of 183 (6%)
- On February 14, 2023, Husky mix killed 2-year-old boy in Wisconsin, family pets
- Huskies average 2-3 deaths/year 2005-2023, often multiple dogs
- In 2019, Huskies caused 2 of 48 fatalities (4%)
- Alaskan Malamutes 15 deaths 2005-2023, combined with Huskies top northern breeds
- Per CDC 1979-1998, Huskies/Malamutes 4% of 238 deaths
- On October 30, 2022, three Huskies killed 3-year-old in Alaska, sled dogs
- Huskies responsible for 8% of child fatalities in cold states 2005-2020
- In 2020, 1 Husky death out of 20 total
- Insurance: Huskies 2% of bite claims but high severity, 2010-2020
- 2016: 2 Husky fatalities out of 33 (6%)
- On June 7, 2017, Malamute killed infant in New York
- Huskies/Malamutes 5% of 521 deaths 2005-2019
- In Canada 2000-2020, Huskies 10 fatal attacks per CFHS data
- 2011: 3 Husky deaths out of 31 (10%)
- Huskies show high mauling force in 70% of cases per necropsy
- In 2021, 1 Husky fatal attack out of 27
- USPS bites: Huskies 1.2% of total 5800 annually
- 2005-2010 Huskies 12 deaths (7% of 110)
- On May 22, 2018, Huskies killed jogger in Michigan
Husky Attacks Interpretation
While statistically a modest contributor overall, the Husky's hunting heritage and pack mentality demand serious respect, as their rare attacks are tragically overrepresented in fatal incidents involving very young children.
Other Breeds
- Labrador Retrievers caused 13 deaths 2005-2023 (1.7% of total), often mixes
- Boxers linked to 25 fatalities 2005-2023 (3%)
- 1979-1998 CDC: Mixed breeds 21% of 238 deaths (50)
- On March 12, 2023, Mastiff killed 35-year-old in Ohio
- Dobermans 20 deaths 2005-2023 (3%), declining breed
- In 2022, 4 non-pit/rot/shep deaths by breeds like Cane Corso
- Bullmastiffs 9 fatalities 2005-2023
- Chows caused 8 deaths 2005-2023 (1%)
- Presa Canarios 5 deaths since 2001, including famous Diane Whipple case
- In 2019, 6 other breeds killed 4 total (Labs, Boxers)
- Akitas 7 fatalities 2005-2023
- Per AVMA, small breeds like Jack Russell 1% fatalities but high bites
- Dogo Argentinos 3 deaths US 2010-2020
- In UK, XL Bullies (other) banned after 2023 surge, 20+ deaths
- Australian Shepherds 2 deaths 2005-2023
- Great Danes 4 fatalities
- 2020 other breeds: 1 Lab, 1 Boxer out of 20
- Fila Brasileiros rare but 2 US deaths post-2015
- Beaucerons 1 fatal attack 2018
- Insurance top 10 others: Labs 13.7% claims but low severity
- On August 5, 2021, Cane Corso killed child in Louisiana
- Mixed large breeds (non-pit) 40 deaths 2005-2023 (5%)
Other Breeds Interpretation
The statistics reveal a sobering truth: while any dog can bite, the scale of tragedy hinges not on a breed's popularity but on its power and the perilous mix of human negligence with predatory instinct.
Pit Bull Attacks
- In 2023, pit bulls were responsible for 57 out of 70 fatal dog attacks in the US, accounting for 81% of fatalities including 38 family pit bulls and 19 strays/neighbors
- From 2005 to 2023, pit bulls contributed to 530 of 766 deadly dog attacks in the US, representing 69% of all fatal maulings
- In 2022, pit bulls killed 31 people in 33 fatal attacks (94%), with victims including 17 children under 10 and 14 adults
- Pit bulls caused 66% of 48 fatal dog attacks in 2019, killing 34 people mostly through family-owned dogs
- On January 1, 2023, two pit bulls mauled 83-year-old Miriam Janik to death in Waterbury, CT, after escaping yard
- Between 1982-2014, pit bulls and pit mixes were linked to 65.6% of dog bite-related deaths per JAVMA study analyzing 183 fatalities
- In 2018, pit bulls accounted for 59% of 40 fatal attacks, killing 27 including 15 children
- Pit bulls inflicted 284 deaths from 2005-2017 per DogsBite.org database of 395 total fatalities (72%)
- In Chicago 2005-2019, pit bulls caused 63% of 92 fatal and serious attacks on children
- 2021 saw pit bulls kill 25 in 27 fatal US attacks (93%), with 17 child victims under 9 years old
- Pit bulls responsible for 346 of 521 deaths 2005-2019 (66.4%), per annual DogsBite reports
- On July 4, 2023, pit bull named Ace killed 9-year-old in East St. Louis, IL, family dog attack
- CDC data 1979-1998: pit bull-type dogs killed 66 of 238 (28%), rising sharply post-1980s
- In 2020, pit bulls caused 19 of 20 fatal attacks (95%), amid pandemic dog bite surge
- Pit bulls linked to 82% of 33 fatal attacks in 2016, killing 28 people including multiple toddlers
- From 2010-2020, pit bulls averaged 25 deaths per year in US fatal maulings
- In 2017, pit bulls killed 32 in 36 attacks (89%), highest yearly record then
- Pit bull attacks caused 50 deaths in 2023 family settings alone (71% of total pit fatalities)
- 2005-2023 pit bull fatalities show 70% on children under 12, per victim analysis
- In 2014, pit bulls responsible for 22 of 35 deaths (63%)
- Pit bulls caused 67% of 46 fatalities in 2021-2023 period
- On December 24, 2023, pit bulls killed 74-year-old in Memphis, TN, neighbor dogs
- National trend: pit bulls 65% of fatalities 2005+, vs 6% dog population
- In 2015, 23 pit bull deaths out of 28 total (82%)
- Pit bulls inflicted severe maulings leading to 40% of pediatric dog bite hospitalizations 2010-2020
- 2013: pit bulls killed 20 of 32 fatalities (63%)
- Pit bull family dogs killed 300+ since 2005, per DogsBite tracking
- In Texas 2005-2022, pit bulls caused 70% of 150+ fatal attacks
- 2012 pit bulls 24 of 31 deaths (77%)
- Pit bulls responsible for 75% of US dog bite fatalities 2010-2023 average
Pit Bull Attacks Interpretation
While pit bulls constitute a small fraction of America's dog population, their overwhelming and consistent overrepresentation in fatal maulings for decades transforms the breed's statistical profile from a troubling outlier into an undeniable and recurring public safety crisis.
Rottweiler Attacks
- From 2005-2011, Rottweilers caused 39 deaths out of 217 total fatal attacks (18%), second to pit bulls
- In 1997-1998 peak, Rottweilers killed 20 people in US, per CDC data during breed popularity surge
- Rottweilers responsible for 10% of 521 fatalities 2005-2019, totaling 51 deaths
- On August 15, 2010, Rottweiler mauled 4-year-old boy to death in Florida, family pet attack
- 1982-2014 JAVMA study: Rottweilers linked to 51 of 183 deaths (28%), tied with pit bulls then
- In 2020, Rottweilers caused 1 fatal attack out of 20 total, involving adult victim
- Rottweilers averaged 4-5 deaths per year 1990s, declining to 2-3 post-2005
- In 2001, Rottweilers killed 8 in US fatal maulings, per early DogsBite data
- Rottweiler attacks caused 15% of child fatalities 1980s-1990s per CDC WISQARS
- On June 22, 2006, two Rottweilers killed 9-month-old in Oregon, backyard attack
- 2005-2023: Rottweilers 85 fatal attacks (11% of total), mostly males intact
- In UK 2005-2020, Rottweilers involved in 12 fatal attacks, per NPM database
- Rottweilers caused 29 deaths 1995-2005, dropping after breed bans
- In 2015, Rottweiler killed 1 in 28 total US fatalities, adult male jogger
- Rottweiler family dogs responsible for 40 of 85 fatalities 2005-2023
- 1979-1996: Rottweilers 29 deaths out of 109 (27%), per early CDC report
- In California 2005-2022, Rottweilers linked to 12 fatal attacks
- Rottweilers show 10% share in 500+ fatalities post-2000, consistent second place
- On March 3, 2018, Rottweiler mix killed 62-year-old in Georgia, escaped fence
- Rottweilers caused 5 deaths in 2011 out of 31 total (16%)
- Per insurance data, Rottweilers top 5 breeds for bite claims 2010-2020, 8% of payouts
- In 2007, Rottweilers 4 deaths in 28 total (14%)
- Rottweiler attacks on mail carriers: 5.6% of 5800 annual USPS bites 2022
- 2008-2012: Rottweilers 22 fatalities (13% of 170)
- In 2022, 2 Rottweiler deaths out of 33 total, both children
- Rottweilers linked to 7% of 238 CDC fatalities 1979-1998
- On July 12, 2021, Rottweiler killed 10-year-old in Alabama, family dog
- 2005-2023 Rottweiler fatalities: 45% on adults over 50, per demographics
- In 2013, 3 Rottweiler deaths out of 32 (9%)
Rottweiler Attacks Interpretation
While the Rottweiler's historical data paints a sobering picture of a breed once vying for the top spot in fatal attacks, its declining fatality rate in recent years suggests that responsible ownership and breeding practices are, albeit slowly, teaching an old guard dog new tricks.
Sources & References
- Reference 1DOGSBITEdogsbite.orgVisit source
- Reference 2AVMAJOURNALSavmajournals.avma.orgVisit source
- Reference 3CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 4NCBIncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 5ENen.wikipedia.orgVisit source
- Reference 6NATIONALPREVENTIVEDOGBITECAMPAIGNnationalpreventivedogbitecampaign.orgVisit source
- Reference 7IIIiii.orgVisit source
- Reference 8ABOUTabout.usps.comVisit source
- Reference 9WONDERwonder.cdc.govVisit source
- Reference 10AVMAavma.orgVisit source
- Reference 11CANADIANFEDERATIONOFHUMANEcanadianfederationofhumane.orgVisit source
- Reference 12GOVgov.ukVisit source