Nearly five million people are bitten or attacked by dogs each year in the U.S. Dog bites are a serious public health problem that can cause both physical and emotional damage to victims and considerable cost to communities.
State Farm reports that it paid more than $109 million as a result of the nearly 3,800 dog bite homeowners and renters insurance claims in 2011. The Insurance Information Institute estimates that in 2011, insurers across the country paid nearly $479 million in dog bite claims.
Top 10 states for State Farm Dog Bite Claims in 2011:
| State | Number of claims | Claims paid (estimated) |
| 1. California | 527 | $20.3 million |
| 2. Illinois | 309 | $10.0 million |
| 3. Texas | 219 | $5.1 million |
| 4. Ohio | 215 | $5.4 million |
| 5. Pennsylvania | 197 | $4.9 million |
| 6. Michigan | 181 | $7.0 million |
| 7. Florida | 157 | $5.1 million |
| 8. Indiana | 139 | $3.5 million |
| 9. New York | 133 | $6.1 million |
| 10. Minnesota | 117 | $3.5 million |
State Farm says it does not refuse insurance based on the breed of dog a customer owns because there are good dogs and bad dogs within every breed, just as there can be responsible and irresponsible owners of each breed. The company notes that a dog’s tendency to bite depends on such factors as heredity, obedience training, socialization, health and the victim’s behavior.
The I.I.I. reports that many states have passed laws with stiff penalties for owners of dogs that cause serious injuries or deaths. In about one-third of states, owners are “strictly liable” for their dogs’ behavior, while in the rest of the country they are liable only if they knew or should have known their dogs had a propensity to bite (known as the “one free bite” principle).
Children and seniors are frequent victims of dog bites. In fact, more than half of all dog bite victims are children.
“Among children, the rate of dog bite-related injuries is highest for those ages 5 to 9 years,” Dr. Patricia Olson, chief research officer for American Humane Association said in a statement. “It is important to note that children are often bitten by a dog in their own household. Thus, supervision by parents and teaching children how to avoid being bitten is crucial for protecting both the child and the dog. Prior to obtaining a dog, future owners should consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist to learn what type of dog might be the best match for their family.”
The AHA reports an estimated 4.7 million dog bites occur in the U.S. each year and nearly 800,000 of them require medical care. Approximately two-thirds of bites occurred on or near the victim’s property and most victims knew the dog.
Olson says dog owners bringing a newborn baby home need to properly introduce the pet to the infant and the AHA offers a guide on this: When Pet Meets Baby. Olson points out that any dog could bite if provoked.
In addition to stressing responsible pet ownership, State Farm and the AHA are encouraging responsible behavior and caution around dogs, including family pets, for any dog could bite someone under the right circumstances.
The AHA offers some basic guidelines for keeping kids safe around dogs:
- · NEVER leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.
- · Be on the lookout for potentially dangerous situations.
- · Start teaching young children — including toddlers — to be careful around pets.
- · Children must be taught NOT to approach strange dogs.
- · Always ask permission from a dog’s owner before petting any dog.
For more information about dog bite prevention, visit the State Farm Learning Center or the American Humane Association website.
