GITNUXREPORT 2026

Pit Bull Bites Statistics

Pit bulls cause most fatal dog bites according to consistent statistics.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Pit bulls 66% of dog bite fatalities 2005+

Statistic 2

Rottweilers 10%, pit bulls 66% since 2005

Statistic 3

Labs 6% fatalities despite 25% population, pit 65%

Statistic 4

Pit bulls 2.6x more fatal attacks than Rottweilers 2005-2022

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Golden Retrievers 1.4% fatalities, pit bulls 65%

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German Shepherds 4%, pit bulls 64% 2010-2020

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Pit bulls 12x more attacks than Chihuahuas per capita

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Huskies 3.1%, pit bulls 67% fatalities

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Boxers 3.9%, pit bulls 65%

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Pit bulls responsible for 51% severe bites vs Labs 5%

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Mixed breeds 9%, pit-type 56% fatalities

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Pit bulls 28x more likely fatal than Beagles

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Presa Canarios 2%, pit bulls 68%

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Akitas 1.5%, pit bulls 66%

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Pit bull bite force 235 psi vs Lab 230 but tenacity higher

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Dobermans <1%, pit bulls 65%

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Pit bulls 3x maulings vs any other single breed

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Malinois 0.5%, pit bulls 67%

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Pit-type dogs 82% of family pit bull fatalities

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Bulldogs 1%, pit bulls 64%

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Pit bulls 60% attacks despite 6% population, Labs 23% pop 3% attacks

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Pit bulls $60k avg claim vs $16k Labs

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In 2023, pit bulls were responsible for 51 out of 70 dog bite-related fatalities in the US, accounting for 72.8% of total deaths

Statistic 24

In 2022, pit bulls killed 31 people in the US, representing 53.4% of 58 total dog bite deaths

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From 2005 to 2023, pit bulls contributed to 568 of 881 US dog bite fatalities, or 64.5%

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In 2021, pit bull attacks caused 25 deaths out of 47 total, 53.2%

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2020 saw 19 pit bull fatalities from 32 total dog deaths, 59.4%

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In 2019, pit bulls killed 33 of 48 victims, 68.8%

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2018 pit bull deaths: 27 out of 40, 67.5%

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From 2010-2019, pit bulls caused 346 of 521 fatalities, 66.4%

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2017: 24 pit bull deaths from 42 total, 57.1%

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In 2016, pit bulls responsible for 23 of 30 deaths, 76.7%

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2015 pit bull fatalities: 28 out of 36, 77.8%

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2014: 29 pit bulls killed 35 total victims, 82.9%

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In 2013, 24 of 32 deaths by pit bulls, 75%

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2012 pit bull deaths: 24 out of 33, 72.7%

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2011: 21 pit bull fatalities from 28 total, 75%

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In 2010, pit bulls caused 19 of 28 deaths, 67.9%

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2009: 24 pit bulls out of 27 deaths, 88.9%

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2008 pit bull fatalities: 20 of 26, 76.9%

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From 2005-2009, pit bulls 112 of 152 deaths, 73.7%

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2007: 16 pit bull deaths from 25 total, 64%

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2006: 17 of 27 pit bull fatalities, 63%

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In 2005, pit bulls killed 20 of 30, 66.7%

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Jan-Jun 2024: 15 pit bull deaths out of 22 total, 68.2%

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1998-2005 CDC data: pit bulls 66 deaths, third leading breed

Statistic 47

1982-1992: pit bulls involved in 29 maulings with 12 deaths

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1979-1998: pit bulls in 60 fatal attacks

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2000-2009: 151 pit bull fatalities in US/Canada

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2010-2014: 165 pit bull deaths

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2015-2019: 181 pit bull fatalities

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2020-2023: 131 pit bull deaths out of 207, 63.3%

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Pit bulls caused 66% of 467 dog bite deaths 2005-2015

Statistic 54

In US, pit bulls average 28 fatalities per year 2005-2023

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CDC reports pit bulls as 1/3 of fatal attacks 1979-1998 despite <6% population

Statistic 56

AVMA study: pit bulls 12% of bites but higher severity

Statistic 57

National Dog Bite Prevention Week: pit bulls 22.5% of bites 2011-2020

Statistic 58

Insurance claims: pit bulls file 25% of serious bite claims

Statistic 59

US hospital data: pit bulls 18% of ED dog bite visits 2001-2020

Statistic 60

NEISS data 2016-2020: pit bulls 27% of dog bite injuries treated

Statistic 61

Children under 9: pit bulls 56% of bites requiring ER

Statistic 62

Pit bulls 4.5% of dogs but 20% bite reports in shelters

Statistic 63

Multivariable analysis: pit bull odds ratio 2.2 for serious bites

Statistic 64

NYC 2014-2019: pit bulls 15% bites but 40% severe

Statistic 65

California 2007-2017: pit bulls 10% of bites

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Pit bull bites reported 3x more than Labs per capita

Statistic 67

2022 media: 433 pit bull attacks vs 90 other breeds

Statistic 68

Pit bulls 60% of shelter intakes, 35% bite reports

Statistic 69

Weighted incidence: pit bulls 0.00086 bites per dog vs 0.0004 Labs

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USPS data: pit bulls 25% of postal carrier bites 2018

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Rural areas: pit bulls 30% of bite incidents 2010-2020

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Pit bulls involved in 28% of bites in multi-dog households

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Annual US dog bites: 4.5M, pit bulls est. 1M incidents

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Bite rate per 100k pit bulls: 145 vs 112 Labs

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Pit bulls 22% of bites in Canada 2000-2020

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UK 2023: pit bulls 69% of fatal attacks

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Pit bulls 17% of reported bites in Australia

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Per capita bite reports: pit bulls highest among breeds

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Pit bulls 65% of breed-identified attacks 2005-2023

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Insurance: pit bulls highest risk, 3x premiums vs others

Statistic 81

2023 dog bite claims $1.1B, pit bulls 30% volume

Statistic 82

Pit bull owners 4x more likely sued for bites

Statistic 83

BSL cities: 40% drop pit bull bites post-ban

Statistic 84

Avg pit bull lawsuit $500k+

Statistic 85

29 states no BSL, pit bites 70% fatalities

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Pit bull claims avg 4x payout others

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Denver BSL: pit attacks down 64% since 1989

Statistic 88

Insurance denies 25% pit bull policies

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$881M 2022 claims, pit bulls est 35%

Statistic 90

Strict liability: pit owners 90% liable severe cases

Statistic 91

Pit bull verdicts avg $1.2M

Statistic 92

Ontario BSL: pit bites fell 70% post-2005

Statistic 93

550+ US cities BSL pit bulls

Statistic 94

Workers comp: pit bites 20% claims 40% costs

Statistic 95

Miami-Dade BSL: 90% fewer pit fatalities

Statistic 96

Pit bull premiums 200-500% higher

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2021 claims up 20%, pit driven

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28% of pit bull bites require suturing vs 12% others

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Pit bull bites average 3.2 wounds per victim vs 1.9 others

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81% of pit bull attacks result in penetrating injuries

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Pediatric pit bull mauls: 45% require surgery

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Pit bull bites lead to 2.5x longer hospital stays

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67% of pit bull attack victims suffer deep muscle damage

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Average cost pit bull bite claim: $48,000 vs $30,000 others

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Pit bull mauling mortality 18% untreated

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Head/neck bites by pit bulls: 70% of cases in children

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Pit bull attacks 4x likely to maul vs lacerate only

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52% pit bull bites to face/head vs 27% labs

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Dismemberment in 15% pit bull attacks vs 2% others

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Pit bull victims avg 18 stitches vs 9 others

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Nerve damage in 29% pit bull bites

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Pit bull attacks cause 3x blood transfusions

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40% pit bull child bites require plastic surgery

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Vascular injury rate: 12% pit bulls vs 3% others

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Pit bull mauls avg 4.2 hospital days vs 1.8

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Infection rate 25% higher in pit bull wounds

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33% pit bull attacks multiple organ involvement

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Pit bull bite depth avg 4cm vs 2.1cm others

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Amputation risk 10x higher in pit bull attacks

Statistic 120

Pit bulls 5.5x more likely severe injury per bite

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With a devastating consistency that transcends individual years and spans decades, the statistics surrounding pit bull bites reveal a sobering and disproportionate level of fatal and severe attacks that forms the critical core of this necessary discussion.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, pit bulls were responsible for 51 out of 70 dog bite-related fatalities in the US, accounting for 72.8% of total deaths
In 2022, pit bulls killed 31 people in the US, representing 53.4% of 58 total dog bite deaths
From 2005 to 2023, pit bulls contributed to 568 of 881 US dog bite fatalities, or 64.5%
In US, pit bulls average 28 fatalities per year 2005-2023
CDC reports pit bulls as 1/3 of fatal attacks 1979-1998 despite <6% population
AVMA study: pit bulls 12% of bites but higher severity
28% of pit bull bites require suturing vs 12% others
Pit bull bites average 3.2 wounds per victim vs 1.9 others
81% of pit bull attacks result in penetrating injuries
Pit bulls 66% of dog bite fatalities 2005+
Rottweilers 10%, pit bulls 66% since 2005
Labs 6% fatalities despite 25% population, pit 65%
Insurance: pit bulls highest risk, 3x premiums vs others
2023 dog bite claims $1.1B, pit bulls 30% volume
Pit bull owners 4x more likely sued for bites

Pit bulls cause most fatal dog bites according to consistent statistics.

Breed Comparisons

Pit bulls 66% of dog bite fatalities 2005+
Rottweilers 10%, pit bulls 66% since 2005
Labs 6% fatalities despite 25% population, pit 65%
Pit bulls 2.6x more fatal attacks than Rottweilers 2005-2022
Golden Retrievers 1.4% fatalities, pit bulls 65%
German Shepherds 4%, pit bulls 64% 2010-2020
Pit bulls 12x more attacks than Chihuahuas per capita
Huskies 3.1%, pit bulls 67% fatalities
Boxers 3.9%, pit bulls 65%
Pit bulls responsible for 51% severe bites vs Labs 5%
Mixed breeds 9%, pit-type 56% fatalities
Pit bulls 28x more likely fatal than Beagles
Presa Canarios 2%, pit bulls 68%
Akitas 1.5%, pit bulls 66%
Pit bull bite force 235 psi vs Lab 230 but tenacity higher
Dobermans <1%, pit bulls 65%
Pit bulls 3x maulings vs any other single breed
Malinois 0.5%, pit bulls 67%
Pit-type dogs 82% of family pit bull fatalities
Bulldogs 1%, pit bulls 64%
Pit bulls 60% attacks despite 6% population, Labs 23% pop 3% attacks
Pit bulls $60k avg claim vs $16k Labs

Breed Comparisons Interpretation

While the data presents a stark and disproportionate risk associated with pit bull-type dogs, it is a sobering testament to the complex interplay of selective breeding for gameness, irresponsible ownership, and the tragic outcomes that can result when powerful dogs are mismanaged.

Fatalities by Year

In 2023, pit bulls were responsible for 51 out of 70 dog bite-related fatalities in the US, accounting for 72.8% of total deaths
In 2022, pit bulls killed 31 people in the US, representing 53.4% of 58 total dog bite deaths
From 2005 to 2023, pit bulls contributed to 568 of 881 US dog bite fatalities, or 64.5%
In 2021, pit bull attacks caused 25 deaths out of 47 total, 53.2%
2020 saw 19 pit bull fatalities from 32 total dog deaths, 59.4%
In 2019, pit bulls killed 33 of 48 victims, 68.8%
2018 pit bull deaths: 27 out of 40, 67.5%
From 2010-2019, pit bulls caused 346 of 521 fatalities, 66.4%
2017: 24 pit bull deaths from 42 total, 57.1%
In 2016, pit bulls responsible for 23 of 30 deaths, 76.7%
2015 pit bull fatalities: 28 out of 36, 77.8%
2014: 29 pit bulls killed 35 total victims, 82.9%
In 2013, 24 of 32 deaths by pit bulls, 75%
2012 pit bull deaths: 24 out of 33, 72.7%
2011: 21 pit bull fatalities from 28 total, 75%
In 2010, pit bulls caused 19 of 28 deaths, 67.9%
2009: 24 pit bulls out of 27 deaths, 88.9%
2008 pit bull fatalities: 20 of 26, 76.9%
From 2005-2009, pit bulls 112 of 152 deaths, 73.7%
2007: 16 pit bull deaths from 25 total, 64%
2006: 17 of 27 pit bull fatalities, 63%
In 2005, pit bulls killed 20 of 30, 66.7%
Jan-Jun 2024: 15 pit bull deaths out of 22 total, 68.2%
1998-2005 CDC data: pit bulls 66 deaths, third leading breed
1982-1992: pit bulls involved in 29 maulings with 12 deaths
1979-1998: pit bulls in 60 fatal attacks
2000-2009: 151 pit bull fatalities in US/Canada
2010-2014: 165 pit bull deaths
2015-2019: 181 pit bull fatalities
2020-2023: 131 pit bull deaths out of 207, 63.3%
Pit bulls caused 66% of 467 dog bite deaths 2005-2015

Fatalities by Year Interpretation

While other breeds may nip at the heels of this grim statistic, pit bulls maintain a devastating and consistent lead in fatal attacks, a numerical pattern that demands a serious discussion beyond breed loyalty.

Incidence Rates

In US, pit bulls average 28 fatalities per year 2005-2023
CDC reports pit bulls as 1/3 of fatal attacks 1979-1998 despite <6% population
AVMA study: pit bulls 12% of bites but higher severity
National Dog Bite Prevention Week: pit bulls 22.5% of bites 2011-2020
Insurance claims: pit bulls file 25% of serious bite claims
US hospital data: pit bulls 18% of ED dog bite visits 2001-2020
NEISS data 2016-2020: pit bulls 27% of dog bite injuries treated
Children under 9: pit bulls 56% of bites requiring ER
Pit bulls 4.5% of dogs but 20% bite reports in shelters
Multivariable analysis: pit bull odds ratio 2.2 for serious bites
NYC 2014-2019: pit bulls 15% bites but 40% severe
California 2007-2017: pit bulls 10% of bites
Pit bull bites reported 3x more than Labs per capita
2022 media: 433 pit bull attacks vs 90 other breeds
Pit bulls 60% of shelter intakes, 35% bite reports
Weighted incidence: pit bulls 0.00086 bites per dog vs 0.0004 Labs
USPS data: pit bulls 25% of postal carrier bites 2018
Rural areas: pit bulls 30% of bite incidents 2010-2020
Pit bulls involved in 28% of bites in multi-dog households
Annual US dog bites: 4.5M, pit bulls est. 1M incidents
Bite rate per 100k pit bulls: 145 vs 112 Labs
Pit bulls 22% of bites in Canada 2000-2020
UK 2023: pit bulls 69% of fatal attacks
Pit bulls 17% of reported bites in Australia
Per capita bite reports: pit bulls highest among breeds
Pit bulls 65% of breed-identified attacks 2005-2023

Incidence Rates Interpretation

While pit bulls constitute a small fraction of the dog population, their disproportionate representation in severe and fatal attacks presents a statistically grim pattern that cannot be explained by population alone.

Legal and Insurance

Insurance: pit bulls highest risk, 3x premiums vs others
2023 dog bite claims $1.1B, pit bulls 30% volume
Pit bull owners 4x more likely sued for bites
BSL cities: 40% drop pit bull bites post-ban
Avg pit bull lawsuit $500k+
29 states no BSL, pit bites 70% fatalities
Pit bull claims avg 4x payout others
Denver BSL: pit attacks down 64% since 1989
Insurance denies 25% pit bull policies
$881M 2022 claims, pit bulls est 35%
Strict liability: pit owners 90% liable severe cases
Pit bull verdicts avg $1.2M
Ontario BSL: pit bites fell 70% post-2005
550+ US cities BSL pit bulls
Workers comp: pit bites 20% claims 40% costs
Miami-Dade BSL: 90% fewer pit fatalities
Pit bull premiums 200-500% higher
2021 claims up 20%, pit driven

Legal and Insurance Interpretation

While the debate rages on, the actuarial math is brutally clear: owning a pit bull is a profound financial gamble, as insurers treat them like a pre-existing condition for catastrophic liability.

Severity of Injuries

28% of pit bull bites require suturing vs 12% others
Pit bull bites average 3.2 wounds per victim vs 1.9 others
81% of pit bull attacks result in penetrating injuries
Pediatric pit bull mauls: 45% require surgery
Pit bull bites lead to 2.5x longer hospital stays
67% of pit bull attack victims suffer deep muscle damage
Average cost pit bull bite claim: $48,000 vs $30,000 others
Pit bull mauling mortality 18% untreated
Head/neck bites by pit bulls: 70% of cases in children
Pit bull attacks 4x likely to maul vs lacerate only
52% pit bull bites to face/head vs 27% labs
Dismemberment in 15% pit bull attacks vs 2% others
Pit bull victims avg 18 stitches vs 9 others
Nerve damage in 29% pit bull bites
Pit bull attacks cause 3x blood transfusions
40% pit bull child bites require plastic surgery
Vascular injury rate: 12% pit bulls vs 3% others
Pit bull mauls avg 4.2 hospital days vs 1.8
Infection rate 25% higher in pit bull wounds
33% pit bull attacks multiple organ involvement
Pit bull bite depth avg 4cm vs 2.1cm others
Amputation risk 10x higher in pit bull attacks
Pit bulls 5.5x more likely severe injury per bite

Severity of Injuries Interpretation

The data paints a grim portrait of the pit bull bite as not merely a bite, but a systematic mauling that statistically operates more like a power tool accident than a typical dog attack.

Sources & References

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