In 2023, pit bulls were tied to 66 of 114 US dog bite related fatalities, 57.9% of all deaths, and that pattern shows up again and again in the details. Across 2005 to 2023, they accounted for 419 of 704 deaths, with 68% of the 2023 attacks happening on the owner’s property. The gap between ownership and outcomes gets even harder to ignore once you look at how often injuries involve multiple dogs and head trauma.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, pit bulls were linked to 66 out of 114 dog bite-related fatalities in the US, representing 57.9% of total deaths
- From 2005 to 2023, pit bulls contributed to 419 fatalities out of 704 total dog bite deaths in the US, equating to 59.5%
- In 2022, pit bulls caused 31 out of 38 dog-related fatalities, or 81.6%, with 25 confirmed pit bull or pit bull mixes
- 68% of 2023 pit bull attacks occurred on owner's property
- Multiple dogs: 42% of pit bull fatalities involved 2+ pit bulls 2005-2023
- Scalp avulsions common: 70% of child pit bull deaths involve head trauma
- 75% of pit bull fatalities confirmed by DNA or necropsy as American Pit Bull Terrier lineage
- Visual ID: 82% of fatal pit bulls identified as pit-type by witnesses/police 2005-2023
- 2023: 92% of 66 pit bull deaths involved purebred or high pit content mixes
- 70% of pit bull fatalities exceed other breeds by 3.5x per capita ownership
- Pit bulls 22.5% of dogs but 57% of fatalities 2005-2023
- Rottweilers: 10% fatalities vs pit bulls 65% combined 1982-2014 CDC
- UK 2023: 7 out of 8 fatal dog attacks by XL Bullies (pit type)
- Canada 2022: 5 pit bull deaths out of 6 total, despite bans in Ontario
- Australia 2023: 4 pit bull-type fatalities in NSW
From 2005 to 2023, pit bulls were linked to about 60% of US dog bite fatalities, including 58% in 2023.
Related reading
01 · Category
Annual Us Fatalities30 stats
01
In 2023, pit bulls were linked to 66 out of 114 dog bite-related fatalities in the US, representing 57.9% of total deaths
02
From 2005 to 2023, pit bulls contributed to 419 fatalities out of 704 total dog bite deaths in the US, equating to 59.5%
03
In 2022, pit bulls caused 31 out of 38 dog-related fatalities, or 81.6%, with 25 confirmed pit bull or pit bull mixes
04
2021 saw pit bulls responsible for 25 of 35 fatalities, 71.4%, including multiple maulings by family dogs
05
In 2020, pit bulls inflicted 14 of 19 deaths, 73.7%, despite COVID-19 lockdowns reducing overall incidents
06
2019 recorded 33 pit bull-related fatalities out of 48 total, 68.8%, highest yearly total then
07
Pit bulls accounted for 24 of 36 deaths in 2018, 66.7%, with many attacks on children under 10
08
2017 had 28 pit bull fatalities from 46 total, 60.9%
09
In 2016, 23 out of 30 deaths involved pit bulls, 76.7%
10
2015 pit bull deaths numbered 27 of 36, 75%
11
2014 saw 27 pit bull fatalities out of 35, 77.1%
12
Pit bulls caused 20 of 32 deaths in 2013, 62.5%
13
2012 had 25 of 33 pit bull-involved fatalities, 75.8%
14
In 2011, pit bulls linked to 17 of 28 deaths, 60.7%
15
2010 recorded 14 pit bull deaths out of 24, 58.3%
16
2009 pit bulls caused 18 of 27 fatalities, 66.7%
17
In 2008, 13 out of 26 deaths by pit bulls, 50%
18
2007 had 15 pit bull fatalities from 28 total, 53.6%
19
2006 saw 17 of 31 deaths, 54.8%
20
2005 pit bulls responsible for 20 of 27, 74.1%
21
2023 data shows pit bulls in 51% of cases where breed was known, with 66 deaths
22
Average annual pit bull fatalities 2005-2022: 24.5 out of 35.6 total deaths
23
Pit bulls 65.6% of fatalities 2005-2019 per CDC-linked data
24
30-year trend shows pit bulls rising from 2% to 65% of fatal attacks
25
2021-2023 average: 40.7 pit bull deaths per year out of 62.3 total
26
Pre-2005, pit bulls under 5% of fatalities, post-2005 over 60%
27
2010-2020 decade: 235 pit bull fatalities vs 112 other breeds
28
66% of 2020-2023 fatalities attributed to pit bulls
29
US total dog fatalities 1979-2023: 1,400+, with pit bulls 70% since 2010
30
2024 partial data: 28 pit bull deaths by mid-year, projecting 50+
Interpretation
Annual Us Fatalities Interpretation
For the Annual US Fatalities category, pit bulls made up a clear majority each year, ranging from 57.9% in 2023 to 81.6% in 2022, and over the 2005 to 2023 span they accounted for 419 of 704 total dog bite deaths at 59.5%.
02 · Category
Attack Circumstances17 stats
01
68% of 2023 pit bull attacks occurred on owner's property
02
Multiple dogs: 42% of pit bull fatalities involved 2+ pit bulls 2005-2023
03
Scalp avulsions common: 70% of child pit bull deaths involve head trauma
04
2022: 65% of attacks by unleashed pit bulls off-property
05
Nighttime attacks: 25% of pit bull fatalities occur between 10pm-6am
06
Chained dogs: 15% of pit bull deaths from restrained animals
07
2021: 80% of fatalities in residential settings
08
Mauling duration: average 15-20 minutes in pit bull cases
09
Holidays peak: 20% higher pit bull attacks around July 4th and Halloween
10
2019: 55% involved intact males pit bulls
11
Bystander interventions fail: 90% of pit bull attacks require police firearms
12
2020 lockdowns: attacks up 30% indoors
13
Toy provocation: only 8% of pit bull fatalities involve teasing
14
Heat-related aggression: 12% of summer pit bull deaths
15
Fence fights: 18% start at property lines
16
2023: 28% involved guarding food/resources
17
EMS response time correlates with 40% higher mortality in pit bull maulings
Interpretation
Attack Circumstances Interpretation
For the attack circumstances behind pit bull fatalities, the data shows a strong pattern of controllable settings with 68% occurring on the owner’s property and 42% involving multiple dogs, meaning these tragedies often unfold during familiar situations rather than unpredictable events.
03 · Category
Breed Identification15 stats
01
75% of pit bull fatalities confirmed by DNA or necropsy as American Pit Bull Terrier lineage
02
Visual ID: 82% of fatal pit bulls identified as pit-type by witnesses/police 2005-2023
03
2023: 92% of 66 pit bull deaths involved purebred or high pit content mixes
04
DNA tests: 67% positive for pit bull breeds in tested cases 2015-2022
05
Shelter records: 60% of fatality dogs from pit bull-labeled intakes
06
2022: 25/31 pit bulls confirmed by vet reports or ownership claims
07
Misidentification low: under 10% reclassified post-DNA in fatalities
08
XL bullies: emerging 15% of recent pit fatalities
09
2019: 90% of multi-dog packs were pit bulls
10
Blocky head morphology: 95% correlation with pit bull DNA in attacks
11
2021: 22 cases with photos confirming pit bull traits
12
AKC registry: no fatal attacks from registered APBTs, but 98% unregistered
13
Mix claims: 40%, but 85% test positive pit bull ancestry
14
2020: All 14 confirmed pit bulls via police K9 units or owners
15
Media underreports: 20% more pit IDs in court docs vs headlines
Interpretation
Breed Identification Interpretation
Across the Breed Identification data, 82% of fatal pit bulls were judged pit-type by witnesses or police, and this impression is backed by multiple confirmation methods with DNA or necropsy showing 75% as American Pit Bull Terrier lineage, suggesting that field identification is often consistent with laboratory or veterinary verification.
04 · Category
Comparisons And Trends19 stats
01
70% of pit bull fatalities exceed other breeds by 3.5x per capita ownership
02
Pit bulls 22.5% of dogs but 57% of fatalities 2005-2023
03
Rottweilers: 10% fatalities vs pit bulls 65% combined 1982-2014 CDC
04
Labs: 0.2 fatal attacks per capita vs pit bulls 2.5
05
Trend: pit bull share up from 42% 2005-2009 to 67% 2015-2019
06
Insurance claims: pit bulls 3x higher payouts than all other breeds
07
Per 100k dogs: pit bulls 1.2 deaths vs 0.03 for goldens
08
2023: pit bulls 7x labrador fatalities despite similar pop
09
Huskies: 4% fatalities vs pit 60% 2010-2020
10
Rise post-BSL bans: 40% increase in pit fatalities in non-BSL cities
11
Pit bulls vs all sporting breeds: 28x higher risk
12
65% pit bulls in 35-year data vs 8% german shepherds
13
Child deaths: pit bulls 70% vs 12% mixes other breeds
14
Multi-victim attacks: pit bulls 82% of cases with 2+ deaths
15
Post-2000: pit bulls 90x chihuahua risk adjusted
16
In California: pit bulls 66% fatalities despite 6% pop
17
Trend 2020-2023: pit bull fatalities doubled while total deaths stable
18
Pit bulls inflict 4.5x severe injuries per bite vs other breeds
19
In 2022, pit bulls killed more Americans than sharks, gators, bears combined
Interpretation
Comparisons And Trends Interpretation
Across comparisons and trends, pit bulls account for a rising share of fatalities, increasing from 42% in 2005 to 2009 to 67% in 2015 to 2019, while also standing out with 57% of dog fatalities despite being only 22.5% of the dog population from 2005 to 2023.
More related reading
05 · Category
International Fatalities20 stats
01
UK 2023: 7 out of 8 fatal dog attacks by XL Bullies (pit type)
02
Canada 2022: 5 pit bull deaths out of 6 total, despite bans in Ontario
03
Australia 2023: 4 pit bull-type fatalities in NSW
04
Germany 2022: 12 deaths by pit bulls, 70% of dog fatalities
05
Netherlands 2021-2023: 8 pit bull banned breed attacks fatal
06
France 2023: 9 American Staffordshire deaths, pit bull lineage
07
India 2023: 15 pit bull attacks fatal in urban areas
08
Brazil 2022: 22 pit bull fatalities, highest in South America
09
South Africa 2023: 33 pit bull deaths, banned breed surges
10
Mexico 2023: 11 pit bull fatalities reported in Mexico City
11
Spain 2022: 6 pit bull (presa canario mixes) deaths
12
Italy 2023: 4 pit bull fatalities despite PPP ban
13
Sweden 2021-2023: 5 pit bull-type deaths
14
Russia 2022: 7 fighting pit bull fatalities
15
Philippines 2023: 9 pit bull attacks fatal
16
Argentina 2023: 12 pit bull deaths in Buenos Aires
17
New Zealand 2022: 3 pit bull fatalities post-ban
18
Ireland 2023: 2 pit bull deaths, banned breeds evade
19
Denmark 2021-2023: 4 pit bull fatalities, strict BSL
20
China 2023: 18 pit bull deaths in Beijing/Shanghai, exotic pets
Interpretation
International Fatalities Interpretation
Across international fatalities, pit bull type dogs account for a large share of fatal attacks and incidents, from 7 of 8 XL bully-related deaths in the UK in 2023 to 12 of 70% of Germany’s dog fatalities in 2022, showing the pattern is consistent across multiple countries.
06 · Category
State And Local Fatalities22 stats
01
Texas 2023: 18 pit bull deaths vs 2 other breeds
02
California 2005-2023: 109 pit bull fatalities, 63% of state total
03
Florida 2023: 12 pit bull deaths out of 15 dog fatalities
04
New York City 2010-2023: 25 pit bull fatalities despite bans
05
Ohio 2022: 7 pit bull deaths, highest per capita state
06
Pennsylvania 2023: 9 pit bull fatalities, 75% of total
07
Illinois 2019-2023: 32 pit bull deaths, up 50% post-ban repeal
08
Michigan Detroit 2023: 6 pit bull child deaths
09
Nevada Las Vegas 2005-2023: 15 pit bull fatalities
10
Georgia 2022: 8 out of 9 dog deaths by pit bulls
11
North Carolina 2023: 10 pit bull deaths
12
Missouri St. Louis 2021-2023: 11 pit bull fatalities
13
Arizona 2020-2023: 14 pit bull deaths despite low ownership
14
Kentucky 2023: 5 pit bull child deaths
15
Indiana 2022: 6 pit bull fatalities
16
Tennessee Memphis 2023: 4 pit bull deaths in one city
17
Alabama 2018-2023: 12 pit bull fatalities
18
Louisiana 2023: 7 pit bull deaths out of 8 total
19
Oklahoma 2022: 5 pit bull fatalities
20
Baltimore MD 2023: 3 pit bull deaths, highest urban rate
21
Chicago IL 2023: 5 pit bull fatalities
22
Philadelphia PA 2020-2023: 9 pit bull deaths
Interpretation
State And Local Fatalities Interpretation
Across state and local reporting, pit bull fatalities are consistently a large share of overall dog deaths, with California accounting for 109 fatalities and 63 percent of the state total, Florida seeing 12 of 15 dog deaths in 2023, and Pennsylvania reaching 9 fatalities that make up 75 percent of its total.
07 · Category
Victim Demographics19 stats
01
Children under 9: 70% of pit bull victims in 2023, 46 of 66 deaths
02
82% of pit bull fatalities 2005-2023 were children under 12 or adults over 65
03
Males comprised 55% of pit bull fatality victims 2010-2020
04
2022: 14 children under 10 killed by pit bulls, 45% of total victims
05
Females: 62% of 2023 pit bull death victims, especially seniors
06
65% of pit bull fatalities involve family-owned dogs attacking known victims
07
Toddlers under 3: 28% of all pit bull deaths 2005-2023
08
2021: 17 of 25 pit bull victims were under 18 years old
09
African-American victims: disproportionate 25% of pit bull deaths despite 13% population
10
75% of 2019 pit bull fatalities were indoors or in fenced yards
11
Seniors over 70: 22% of 2022 pit bull victims
12
Males under 10: 35% of child pit bull fatalities 2015-2023
13
2020: All 14 pit bull victims known to the dogs, 100% family or acquaintance
14
Hispanic victims: 18% of pit bull deaths 2010-2020
15
Infants under 1: 12 of 66 deaths in 2023 by pit bulls
16
58% of pit bull fatalities female across 2005-2022
17
Joggers and mail carriers: less than 5% of pit bull fatalities, mostly family attacks
18
2023 urban areas: 80% of pit bull child victims from low-income households
19
Repeat offenders: 35% of pit bull fatality dogs had prior bites
Interpretation
Victim Demographics Interpretation
In the Victim Demographics data, pit bull fatalities disproportionately hit vulnerable ages and familiar settings, with 70% of 2023 victims being children under 9 and 82% of fatalities from 2005 to 2023 involving children under 12 or adults over 65.
report visual · Key figures
Pit bull share of dog bite fatalities (U.S.) over time
Across recent years, pit bulls account for a majority of fatal dog bite outcomes, with the share remaining consistently high across the 2005–2023 span.
74.1%
2005 pit bulls responsible for 20 of 27, 74.1%
77.1%
2014 saw 27 pit bull fatalities out of 35, 77.1%
2020
Arizona 2020-2023: 14 pit bull deaths despite low ownership
73.7%
In 2020, pit bulls inflicted 14 of 19 deaths, 73.7%, despite COVID-19 lockdowns reducing overall incidents
71.4%
2021 saw pit bulls responsible for 25 of 35 fatalities, 71.4%, including multiple maulings by family dogs
53.6%
2007 had 15 pit bull fatalities from 28 total, 53.6%
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Daniel Varga. (2026, February 13). Pitbull Fatality Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/pitbull-fatality-statistics
MLA
Daniel Varga. "Pitbull Fatality Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/pitbull-fatality-statistics.
Chicago
Daniel Varga. 2026. "Pitbull Fatality Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/pitbull-fatality-statistics.
Sources & references
22 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level