Las Vegas Dog Bite Statistics
To many people, dogs are special members of the family. They provide comfort, fun, and love to their owners. However, dog bite statistics reflect that dogs will attack when not treated well, left in potentially dangerous situations, or provoked. When a dog bites or attacks, innocent victims get hurt. At Lerner and Rowe, we provide assistance for dog injury-related liability claims.
If you or a loved one sustained injuries from a dog attack, reach out to our dog bite lawyers in Las Vegas 24/7.
Just make one call to 702-877-1500, connect with a LiveChat client representative, or fill out our online form today. Our team is here to help determine if you have a dog bite case after an animal attack in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, and other southern Nevada cities.
How Many Dogs Are in the United States and Las Vegas?
If you do not own your own dog, you most likely know someone who does. That’s because, according to a study done by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 63.4 million households in America have a dog.
Many of these dogs dwell in Las Vegas, as the city has many pet-friendly areas, parks, hotels, and restaurants. Furthermore, according to city municipal code, those living within the city can have up to three dogs over three months of age. You’ll likely see or interact with a dog in Las Vegas every day.
How Many Dog Bite Injuries Occur Every Year?
The CDC studied dog attacks for many years. From its data, we know that over 4.5 million dog bites happen in the United States each year. From these bites, only about 0.3% of victims sought medical care.
This number may seem small. However, it indicates that 800,000 people injured by dogs have suffered pain and trauma that could have been avoided. Each of these injuries caused pain and suffering to the victims. Furthermore, 6,000 of these injuries required hospitalization. Hospitalization for injuries often means that recovery may take longer, and require extensive care.
What Kinds of Dog Bite-Related Injuries Are There?
Bite attack injuries take many forms. A bite may cause:
- Puncture wounds
- Lacerations
- Contusions and abrasions
- Infection
- Amputation of a body part
- Crush injuries
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Other catastrophic injuries
According to the CDC, 45.3% of these injuries were sustained in the hand or arm. 25.8% occurred in the legs and feet. 22.8% of injuries involved the head and neck. Head and neck injuries can be some of the most shocking and devastating, as these sometimes involve bite marks to very visible areas of the face. In 2020 alone, more than 47,000 victims of dog bites underwent plastic surgery in order to reconfigure the damage done from their attack.
Number of Dog Attack Fatalities
Unfortunately, the most shocking dog attack statistics include fatalities. Between 2005 and 2019, 521 people were killed by dog bites. In 2019 alone, 48 of those people died, the highest in one year.
Age of Victims
Children are the most common dog bite victims. Due to their size and strength, they are most likely to sustain serious injury. Furthermore, more boys sustain these injuries than girls.
Because of these dog bite statistics, many prevention programs target these younger age groups. Do your part by educating the children in your life about how to treat familiar and unfamiliar dogs. For instance:
- Never blow air into the face of a dog. They may nip, reacting to the sudden feeling on their face.
- Always supervise children and dogs when playing together. This is especially important if the child is smaller than the dog.
- Remain cautious around any unfamiliar dog, especially if that dog is not on a leash.
- Do not irritate dogs that are fenced in, they may easily jump the fence and attack.
- Teach children to find an adult if they ever feel unsafe.
These suggestions are helpful for adults, too. Never provoke a dog, and avoid “wrestling” games where the dog may get carried away. Finally, if you are injured by a dog, reach out to the Las Vegas dog bite lawyers at Lerner and Rowe.
Which Dog Breed Bites People the Most?
The topic of dog breeds can quickly become controversial; however, it’s important to know dog bite statistics by breed. For instance, Pit Bulls were responsible for more than 68% of fatal dog attacks in 2019. From 2005 to 2019, 346 pit bulls and 51 Rottweilers caused 76% of dog bite related deaths. Other breeds also caused deadly injuries, including:
- Mastiffs
- American Bulldogs
- Belgian Malinois
- Coonhounds
- Doberman Pinschers
- Dutch Shepherds
- Great Danes
- Huskies
It seems larger dogs tend to cause fatalities, however, smaller dogs can bite as well. One study indicated that Dachshunds actually bite most frequently.
Dog aggression can also be seen in Chihuahuas, Beagles, Jack Russell Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels. Regardless of size, it’s important to treat dogs with respect and give space to those showing defensive behaviors.
Which Dog Breeds Are Least Likely to Be Involved in a Dog Bite?
The Whippet, a medium sized dog that resembles a greyhound, may be the breed least likely to bite. Golden retrievers also tend to be more docile. Also, there is a good amount of training that can be done to help dogs learn to fight natural instincts to defend with bites.
However, regardless of breed and training, any dog can bite and cause injury. Remain vigilant and watch for signs of dog aggression.
Costs Associated with Dog Bite Injuries
While the majority of dog bite statistics show that most bites are minor and may be treated at home, many require proper medical care at a hospital or emergency room. These types of injuries can make the cost of such an injury skyrocket. In 2008, the cost of a hospital stay for a dog bite related incident was about $18,200. This was 50% higher than an average hospital stay.
In addition to monetary cost, there is also an emotional cost that comes with dog involved injuries. Following an injury, there have been cases of posttraumatic stress disorder in children, as well as cases of selective mutism. Anyone may be affected for years following an attack, even after any physical wounds have healed.
Who’s Fault Is it When a Dog Attacks?
Dog bites are rarely the fault of the victim. However, if it’s determined the victim did cause the bite, they may be held responsible for their own injuries.
More often than not the dog attack is most likely the fault of the owner. For instance, in Las Vegas, if a dog owner knows their dog is showing vicious behavior and does nothing, the bites that may result could be considered their fault. Or, if there is evidence- like lack of food or a loose collar- the owner may be considered negligent.
This is where the law can get tricky, and you’ll need a personal injury attorney on your side. Don’t waste time trying to navigate the complexities of dog injury-related liability claims. Instead, contact Lerner and Rowe today for a free consultation.
What to Do after a Dog Bite
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury from a minor dog attack, treat the wound immediately to avoid infection. Make sure that you wash the injury thoroughly with warm water and soap. Then, flush the wound with warm water, and apply an antibiotic cream. If the bite is deep, press a clean cloth to the wound to help slow the bleeding, and seek medical help immediately. If dog bite injuries are life-threatening, call 911.
Save any documentation from your doctor, and keep a log of your symptoms. Note any signs of infection. It’s also helpful to collect any evidence from the time of the attack, like photos of a worn chain or broken fence. Share these artifacts with your dog bite injury attorney.
Infection Statistics from Dog Bites
Infection caused by a dog bite was found in 1.5% of the 4.5 million bites in the US. Two common infections caused by dog bites include:
- Staphylococcus, which causes staph infections. Typically, this bacteria causes minor skin problems like boils and impetigo. However, when staph enters the bloodstream, fever and low blood pressure may be the first signs of a more serious problem. The infection may end up affecting internal organs, bones, muscles, and joints.
- Capnocytophaga, which can cause infections under the right conditions for those with weakened immune systems. Infection can lead to abscesses, and inflammation of the heart’s lining, eyes, lymph nodes, and brain membranes.
Unvaccinated dogs can cause the spread of other bacteria that may transmit other diseases as well.
Contact Our Las Vegas Dog Bite Lawyers 24/7
At Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys, our team will carry the emotional burden of a tricky and painful legal case so that you can focus on your recovery. If you or a loved one has suffered dog bite-related injuries in Las Vegas, or your family has been affected by a dog attack fatality, call 702-877-1500, talk over LiveChat, or fill out our online form.
With thousands of five star reviews, you know you’ll be in great hands. The consultation is free and there’s no fee until we win your case, so reach out today.