INDIANA– A new study by the law firm Fighter Law analyzed three years of dog bite data, identifying pit bulls, shepherds, and boxers as the breeds responsible for the highest number of serious bite incidents in the United States. The study, which examined data from 2021 to 2023, aims to shed light on patterns behind the approximately 4.5 million dog bites that occur annually.
Pit Bulls topped the list with a “danger score” of 90 out of 100, significantly higher than any other breed. The analysis found Pit Bulls were responsible for over 26% of all reported dog bites and 61 fatalities during the study period. Additionally, only 17.10% of Pit Bulls involved in bite incidents were vaccinated, and nearly 21.6% of their attacks resulted in severe injuries. Thomas Feiter, CEO of Fighter Law, noted that while the data on Pit Bulls is striking, “many of these dogs are unfortunately trained for aggression or kept in unsuitable conditions that contribute to these statistics”.
Shepherd breeds (excluding German Shepherds) ranked second with a danger score of 57.17, accounting for 10.49% of reported bite incidents and two fatalities. Their vaccination rate was notably low at 9.25%, and about 15.86% of their bites were classified as severe.
Boxers came in third with a danger score of 54.50. Despite being involved in a smaller percentage of overall bite incidents (1.80%), 25.64% of Boxer attacks resulted in severe injuries, the highest percentage among the top three breeds. Boxers also had a low vaccination rate of 17.95% and were linked to one fatality.
Surprisingly, the Labrador Retriever, often considered a family favorite, appeared at number 10, with a danger score of 38.64. While Labs were involved in 6.28% of bite incidents, none resulted in fatalities during the study period, and they had higher vaccination and lower severity rates compared to other breeds in the top 10. Feiter emphasized, “Any dog, regardless of breed reputation, can cause harm if not properly trained, socialized, or placed in threatening situations”.
The study’s methodology considered total reported bite incidents, fatalities, vaccination rates, bite severity, and breed-specific legislation. Feiter urged dog owners to prioritize proper training and socialization regardless of breed, stating that responsible ownership significantly reduces bite risks. He also advised that dog owners should be aware of potential legal liability for injuries caused by their pets, as many states have “strict liability” laws.
