Posted by the Charleston Dog Bite Lawyers at Anderson & Schuster, Attorneys at Law, LLC. If you have been injured by a dog bite or attack, you may have a claim against the pet owner to recover damages caused by the bite or attack. These damages may include money to cover medical bills, money to compensate you for any scarring or permanent disfigurement, and any other form of damages that you may have experienced that resulted from the bite or attack. Call our dog bite attorneys to discuss your possible claims free of charge.
DogsBite.org recently released their dog bite fatality statistics for 2013. DogsBite.org is a national dog bite victims' group dedicated to reducing serious dog attacks. According to the statistics compiled by DogsBite.org, South Carolina is tied for 3rd with Arkansas for the most dog bite fatalities in the country with 3 fatalities in 2013. California and Texas had 5 and 4 dog bite fatalitites respectively. The following are examples of their findings as well as a link to the complete set of statistics.
2013 Dog Bite Fatality Statistics
- 32 U.S. dog bite-related fatalities occurred in 2013. Despite being regulated in Military Housing areas and over 700 U.S. cities, pit bulls contributed to 78% (25) of these deaths. Pit bulls make up about 6% of the total U.S. dog population.
- Together, pit bulls (25) and rottweilers (1), the (second most dangerous breed), accounted for 81% of the total recorded deaths in 2013. This same combination accounted for 74% of all fatal attacks during the 9-year period of 2005 to 2013.
- The breakdown between these two breeds is substantial over this 9-year period. From 2005 to 2013, pit bulls killed 176 Americans, about one citizen every 18.6 days, versus rottweilers, which killed 33, about one citizen every 99.5 days.
- Annual data from 2013 shows that 56% (18) of the fatality victims were children 7-years and younger, and 44% (14) were adults, 25-years and older. Of the total children killed by dogs in 2013, 61% (11) were ages 4-years and younger.
- In 2013, over one-third, 38% (12), of all dog bite fatality victims were either visiting or living temporarily with the dog's owner when the fatal attack occurred, up from 32% in 2012.
- Dog ownership information for 2013 shows that family dogs comprised 47% (15) of all fatal attack occurrences; 78% (25) of the attacks resulting in human death occurred on the dog owner's property and 22% (7) resulted in criminal charges.
- California led lethal dog attacks in 2013 with 5 deaths. 100% were attributed to pit bulls and 60% resulted in criminal charges. Texas followed with 4 deaths and 0% criminal charges. Arkansas and South Carolina followed, each with 3 deaths.
Source: DogsBite.org 2013 Dog Bite Fatality Statistics
If you or a loved one is a victim of a dog bite or attack, our Charleston Dog Attack Lawyers may be able to help. If you have been injured in a dog attack in Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Goose Creek,Hanahan, James Island or the surrounding areas, give our attorneys a call today to discuss your dog bite case free of charge.
