Statistics on fatal dog attacks have been released for 2016 with some surprising findings. Dogsbite.org announced their annual report of dog bite statistics this week. According to the data, 31 people were killed in dog-bite related incidents. 77 percent of the dogs involved were pit bulls and rottweilers – a fact that the dog bite victim advocacy group made sure to highlight in their report.
In addition to breed information, the report had other interesting findings. Nearly half of all victims were children under the age of nine years old. This is unsurprising – many children misread warning signals from dogs who are angry or scared and are about to lash out. Female victims outnumbered male. 42 percent of all victims were either visiting or living temporarily with the owner of the dog at the time of the attack. This also makes a lot of sense – when dogs feel territorial about their space, a visitor can seem intrusive and threatening.
61 percent of all fatal attacks involved more than one dog. At their core, dogs are pack animals, and whether they’re playing or fighting, they can sometimes egg one another on. This makes the attack more serious and often results in more serious injuries.
There are a lot of conclusions to be drawn from this data. A few warnings remain universal. Families with young children should teach kids about respecting an animal while it is eating – that’s when many violent attacks occur. Visitors to homes with large dogs should be cognizant of their behavior around the dog and keep an eye out for growling, bristled fur and other warnings signs the dog may attack.
Do You Need a Lawyer for Your Dog Bite?
GET HELP NOW. Free Consultations 877-544-5323
If you’ve been attacked by someone else’s dog, it is important that you collect as much evidence as possible. The Virginia dog bite lawyers at the Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC understand the need for an immediate investigation because proof is essential in obtaining the highest possible settlement or verdict for your case. If you’d like to speak with our Virginia dog bite lawyers, contact us for a free consultation 877-544-5323.
