• Millions of Americans Suffer from Dog Bites Each Year
Each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention records an average of approximately 4.7 million cases of dog bite involving Americans. The U.S. has a total of 72 million pet-owning households. Apparently, the figures only show that no injured citizen is a statistical outlier.
• Hundreds of Thousands of Dog Bite Injuries Require Emergency Treatment
Although there are millions of recorded dog bite incidences in the U.S., only few of them receive proper and immediate medical attention. Consequently, those who did not receive medication typically die from rabies/tetanus infection.
• Number of Dog Bite Injuries Almost Doubled in the Last Decade
According to a report released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the total number of dog bite injuries in the past decade has increased dramatically. Nearly half of all victims of dog bite injuries have sought medical treatment for a skin infection.
• Approximately 16,000 People Filed Dog Bite Claims Last Year
Following a dog bite injury, a victim has a legal right to file for a claim against the owner of the dog or the owner’s insurance agency. Based on data released by the Insurance Information Institute, there are approximately 16,000 victims who filed dog bite claims last year. On an average, the standard amount per claim is nearly $30,000.00.
As it is, even a supposedly gentle dog can attack anybody and cause an injury that can be fatal. In addition, animal attacks may be less prevalent than vehicle accidents or slip-and-fall injuries; however, they can nevertheless result in serious injuries.
