Probability of Being Bitten by an Animal (Non-Fatal)

Animal bites are a significant public health concern, with approximately 4.5 million dog bites occurring annually in the United States. Of these, about 800,000 (18%) require medical attention, and approximately 30,000-40,000 require reconstructive surgery. Dog bites account for about 85-90% of all animal bite injuries.

Children aged 5-9 have the highest rate of dog bite injuries, with boys at higher risk than girls. Most bites to children are from familiar dogs (family pets or dogs known to the child). Breeds most frequently involved in serious bites include pit bull types, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and mixed breeds, though breed-specific bite data is controversial and often unreliable due to misidentification.

Cat bites, while less common (about 400,000 per year), are more likely to become infected due to the deep puncture nature of cat teeth, with about 30-50% of cat bites becoming infected compared to about 15-20% for dog bites. Cat-scratch disease (from Bartonella bacteria) affects about 12,000 people per year. Immediate wound care (thorough washing with soap and water), tetanus verification, and medical evaluation for deep bites or bites to the face, hands, or joints are recommended.