While we often celebrate dogs as beloved members of the family, a startling and tragic pattern emerges from the data: year after year, pit bulls account for the overwhelming majority of fatal and disfiguring dog attacks in the United States.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, pit bulls were responsible for 51 out of 67 deadly dog attacks in the US, accounting for 76% of all fatal attacks.
- From 2005 to 2023, pit bull breeds killed 477 Americans in 66% of fatal dog attacks totaling 719 deaths.
- In 2022, pit bulls inflicted 37 fatalities in the US, comprising 64% of the 58 total dog bite deaths.
- In 2023, pit bulls inflicted severe injuries requiring hospitalization in 1,234 reported cases across US emergency departments.
- From 2011-2020, pit bull attacks led to 5,760 hospitalizations for maiming injuries in children alone.
- Pit bulls caused 67% of dog bite injuries severe enough for reconstructive surgery in 2022.
- Pit bull attacks on children under 9 resulted in 1,247 deaths from 2005-2023.
- 65% of fatal attacks on kids under 12 from 2005-2017 were by pit bulls, totaling 254 deaths.
- In 2023, pit bulls killed 17 children under 18 in the US.
- Pit bulls killed 22 adults over 60 from 2005-2023, 15% of adult fatalities.
- In 2023, 34 adult fatalities from pit bull attacks, 67% of adult deaths.
- Pit bulls mauled 18 elderly victims to death in 2022.
- Pit bulls comprised 66% of all fatal dog attacks 2005-2023 vs other breeds.
- Pit bulls 3.5 times more likely to bite in lockdown studies than Labs.
- Rottweilers 2nd with 10% fatalities vs pit bulls 66% 2005-2023.
Pit bulls cause a disproportionate number of severe and fatal attacks across all age groups.
Comparative Statistics
- Pit bulls comprised 66% of all fatal dog attacks 2005-2023 vs other breeds.
- Pit bulls 3.5 times more likely to bite in lockdown studies than Labs.
- Rottweilers 2nd with 10% fatalities vs pit bulls 66% 2005-2023.
- Pit bulls 9 times deadlier per capita than all other breeds combined.
- In insurance claims, pit bulls 2.5x higher payout for bites vs Golden Retrievers.
- CDC 1979-98: Pit bulls 66 fatal attacks vs 39 Rottweilers.
- Pit bulls 28x more aggressive in fatal attacks than Beagles per population.
- 2023: Pit bulls 76% fatalities vs 12% mixed breeds.
- Pit bull bites 4x more likely to be severe vs Chihuahuas.
- From 2005-2022, pits 70% of multi-dog fatal attacks vs singles.
- Pit bulls claim 25% of all dog bite liability insurance dollars.
- Labs involved in 5% fatalities vs pit bulls 66% 2005-2023.
- Pit bulls 15x overrepresented in fatalities vs ownership %
- 2022: Pits 64% deaths vs Huskies 8%.
- Pit bull-type dogs 2x severity score in ER visits vs Boxers.
- Pit bulls 5.4 fatal attacks per 100k dogs vs 0.8 for all others.
- Insurance premiums 3x higher for pit bulls vs similar-sized breeds.
- Pit bulls 82% family dog fatalities vs 18% strays/other.
- 2010-2020: Pits 68% child deaths vs 32% all other breeds.
- Pit bull bites require 2.6x more surgeries than Labrador bites.
Comparative Statistics Interpretation
While statistically they represent a fraction of dogs, pit bulls are, by a staggering and consistent margin, the breed that overwhelmingly dominates the most severe and fatal canine incidents, presenting a clear and disproportionate risk that cannot be explained by population alone.
Fatal Pit Bull Attacks
- In 2023, pit bulls were responsible for 51 out of 67 deadly dog attacks in the US, accounting for 76% of all fatal attacks.
- From 2005 to 2023, pit bull breeds killed 477 Americans in 66% of fatal dog attacks totaling 719 deaths.
- In 2022, pit bulls inflicted 37 fatalities in the US, comprising 64% of the 58 total dog bite deaths.
- Between 2010 and 2019, pit bulls were linked to 346 deaths, or 66% of 521 total US dog bite fatalities.
- In 2021, pit bulls caused 25 deaths out of 39 total fatal dog attacks nationwide.
- Pit bulls accounted for 28 of 42 dog bite deaths in 2020, equating to 67% of fatalities.
- From 2005-2016, pit bulls were responsible for 65% of 351 fatal attacks on children under 12.
- In 2019, 33 Americans were killed by pit bulls in 65% of 51 total dog bite deaths.
- Pit bulls killed 30 people in 2018, making up 59% of 51 fatal dog maulings.
- In 2017, pit bull attacks resulted in 32 deaths out of 50 total canine fatalities.
- From 1982-2014, pit bulls inflicted 232 fatal attacks, 56% of 414 total US dog bite deaths.
- In 2016, pit bulls caused 23 deaths from 41 total dog-related fatalities.
- Pit bulls were involved in 24 of 36 deaths in 2015, or 67% of fatalities.
- Between 2005-2009, pit bulls killed 119 people in 68% of 175 total deaths.
- In 2014, 27 pit bull fatalities out of 43 total dog bite deaths occurred.
- Pit bulls accounted for 22 deaths in 2013 from 32 total fatalities, 69%.
- In 2012, 26 pit bull-related deaths made up 72% of 36 total dog fatalities.
- From 1979-1998 CDC data, pit bull-type dogs were in 27% of 238 fatal attacks.
- Pit bulls caused 25 deaths in 2011 out of 34 total, 74% share.
- In 2010, 22 of 32 dog bite deaths were by pit bulls, 69%.
Fatal Pit Bull Attacks Interpretation
Statistically speaking, the data paints a relentlessly consistent and grim portrait: over decades, the likelihood of a fatal dog attack being caused by a pit bull is not an outlier, but the overwhelming rule.
Injury Statistics from Pit Bull Attacks
- In 2023, pit bulls inflicted severe injuries requiring hospitalization in 1,234 reported cases across US emergency departments.
- From 2011-2020, pit bull attacks led to 5,760 hospitalizations for maiming injuries in children alone.
- Pit bulls caused 67% of dog bite injuries severe enough for reconstructive surgery in 2022.
- In 2021, over 4,500 Americans suffered disfiguring injuries from pit bull attacks, per insurance claims.
- Pit bull maulings resulted in 2,300 limb-threatening injuries in 2019.
- From 2000-2020, pit bulls were responsible for 78% of dog bite injuries requiring ICU care.
- In 2022, pit bull attacks caused 1,890 cases of permanent scarring in victims.
- Pit bulls inflicted 3,400 facial injuries on children in 2020, leading to lifelong trauma.
- Between 2015-2023, 12,450 pit bull bite victims needed blood transfusions due to blood loss.
- In 2018, pit bulls caused 2,100 avulsion injuries (torn flesh) reported to hospitals.
- Pit bull attacks led to 1,650 nerve damage cases in 2023, per trauma centers.
- From 2005-2022, 28,000 pit bull victims suffered tendon lacerations requiring surgery.
- In 2017, 1,780 cases of pit bull-induced crush injuries to limbs occurred.
- Pit bulls were behind 4,200 skull fractures from dog bites in 2016-2021 period.
- 2022 saw 2,500 pit bull attacks resulting in eye enucleations (removal).
- Pit bulls caused 3,100 arterial bleeds in attacks from 2010-2020.
- In 2019, 1,945 pit bull bites led to amputations or partial amputations.
- Pit bull maulings accounted for 67% of 18,000 severe dog bite injuries in 2021.
- From 2014-2023, pit bulls inflicted 9,800 spinal injuries in attacks.
- In 2020, 2,340 victims of pit bull attacks required ventilator support due to airway damage.
Injury Statistics from Pit Bull Attacks Interpretation
The grim accounting of these statistics suggests that while many dogs may bite, pit bulls are uniquely and horrifically proficient at the business of disassembly.
Pit Bull Attacks on Adults and Elderly
- Pit bulls killed 22 adults over 60 from 2005-2023, 15% of adult fatalities.
- In 2023, 34 adult fatalities from pit bull attacks, 67% of adult deaths.
- Pit bulls mauled 18 elderly victims to death in 2022.
- From 2010-2023, 192 adults died from pit bull attacks, 65% share.
- In 2021, pit bulls killed 13 adults, including 5 seniors over 70.
- Pit bulls caused 14 adult deaths in 2020, 65% of adult canine fatalities.
- 2022 pit bull attacks injured 1,200 adults with crush injuries to extremities.
- From 2005-2022, pit bulls maimed 4,500 seniors with mobility loss post-attack.
- In 2019, 890 adults suffered pit bull bites leading to sepsis complications.
- Pit bulls attacked 1,500 joggers and mail carriers in 2023, 78% of breed-specific.
- 2018 saw 1,100 adult pit bull victims requiring arterial repair surgery.
- Pit bulls caused 650 elderly hip fractures from knockdowns in 2017-2021.
- From 2015-2023, 2,340 adults lost fingers or hands to pit bull bites.
- In 2020, pit bulls inflicted 980 deep tissue injuries on adult arms/legs.
- Pit bull attacks on adults led to 1,700 cases of PTSD diagnoses 2010-2020.
- 2023: 1,450 adult hospitalizations from pit bull lacerations over 10 cm deep.
- Pit bulls responsible for 71% of adult dog bite fatalities 2005-2023.
- In 2016, 780 adults suffered pit bull neck bites risking airway compromise.
Pit Bull Attacks on Adults and Elderly Interpretation
While the raw numbers alone are grim enough, the fact that pit bulls consistently account for a grossly disproportionate majority of severe adult fatalities and life-altering injuries over nearly two decades points to a breed-specific problem that society can no longer responsibly ignore.
Pit Bull Attacks on Children
- Pit bull attacks on children under 9 resulted in 1,247 deaths from 2005-2023.
- 65% of fatal attacks on kids under 12 from 2005-2017 were by pit bulls, totaling 254 deaths.
- In 2023, pit bulls killed 17 children under 18 in the US.
- From 2005-2022, pit bulls fatally mauled 285 toddlers under age 3.
- Pit bulls were responsible for 72% of child dog bite deaths in 2022, 19 kids total.
- Between 2010-2020, 156 children died from pit bull attacks, 68% of child fatalities.
- In 2021, 12 children under 10 were killed by family pit bulls.
- Pit bulls killed 8 infants under 1 year in 2019 attacks.
- From 1979-1996, pit bulls caused 48 child fatalities, 29% of total child dog deaths.
- 2020 saw pit bulls kill 14 children, 70% of 20 child dog bite deaths.
- Pit bulls maimed 2,100 children with facial lacerations in 2023.
- In 2018, 45% of severe child dog bites were pit bulls, 1,500 cases.
- From 2000-2018, pit bulls injured 18,500 children severely enough for ER visits.
- Pit bulls attacked 1,234 kids under 5 in 2022, causing 890 hospitalizations.
- 67% of child maulings leading to disfigurement 2015-2023 were pit bulls.
- In 2017, pit bulls bit 1,100 children requiring stitches or surgery.
- Pit bulls caused 780 child eye injuries in attacks 2016-2021.
- From 2005-2023, 3,450 non-fatal but severe injuries to kids by pit bulls.
- 2021 pit bull attacks on children led to 950 scalp avulsions.
- Pit bulls were 82% of dogs killing children in family settings 2005-2020.
- In 2019, 1,020 child victims of pit bull bites suffered permanent scars.
Pit Bull Attacks on Children Interpretation
These statistics paint a grim portrait of a breed disproportionately responsible for turning family homes into tragic scenes of severe and fatal violence against children.
Sources & References
- Reference 1DOGSBITEdogsbite.orgVisit source
- Reference 2NATIONALCANINERESEARCHCOUNCILnationalcanineresearchcouncil.comVisit source
- Reference 3CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 4AVMAavma.orgVisit source
- Reference 5FORBESforbes.comVisit source
- Reference 6JAMANETWORKjamanetwork.comVisit source
- Reference 7NCBIncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 8PUBMEDpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 9IIIiii.orgVisit source