Probability of Dying from a Dog Bite or Attack

While dog bites are common (approximately 4.5 million per year in the US), fatal dog attacks are relatively rare. The National Safety Council estimates the lifetime odds of dying from a dog bite or attack at about 1 in 69,016. Approximately 30-50 people die from dog attacks in the US each year.

Children are the most common victims of dog bites, with those aged 5-9 having the highest bite rates. Most fatal attacks involve unspayed/unneutered dogs, dogs that were not properly socialized, chained dogs, or dogs with a history of aggression. Many fatal attacks on children occur when the child is left unsupervised with a dog.

Prevention includes never leaving young children unsupervised with any dog, teaching children how to safely interact with dogs (never approaching unfamiliar dogs, not disturbing eating/sleeping dogs), spaying/neutering pets, properly socializing dogs from a young age, not chaining dogs, and learning to read canine body language. If a dog is aggressive, remain still, avoid eye contact, and slowly back away.