View source for Dog bite

{{short description|Bite by a dog on a person or other animal}}
{{Redirect|Dog Bite|the song|Dog Bite (song)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
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<!-- Definition and symptoms -->

A '''dog bite''' is a bite upon a person or other animal by a [[dog]]. More than one successive bite is often called a '''dog attack''', although dog attacks can include knock-downs and scratches. Though some dog bites do not result in [[injury]], they can result in [[infection]], [[disfigurement]], temporary or permanent [[disability]], or [[Fatal dog attacks|death]]. Another type of dog bite is the "soft bite" displayed by well-trained dogs, by [[puppies]], and in non-aggressive play.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/13_6/features/Bite-Inhibition_16232-1.html|title=Reinforce Your Dog's Bite Inhibition|website=www.whole-dog-journal.com|date=12 May 2010|access-date=5 May 2017|archive-date=26 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626001622/https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/13_6/features/Bite-Inhibition_16232-1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Dog bites can occur during [[dog fighting]], as a response to [[animal abuse|mistreatment]], by trained dogs working as [[guard dog|guard]], [[police dog|police]] or [[Military dog|military animals]], or during a random encounter.<ref name="Weiss2001">{{cite web|last1=Weiss|first1=Linda S.|title=Breed-Specific Legislation in the United States|url=https://www.animallaw.info/article/breed-specific-legislation-united-states|website=Animal Legal & Historical Center|publisher=Michigan State University|access-date=1 October 2017|date=2001|archive-date=24 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124011249/https://www.animallaw.info/article/breed-specific-legislation-united-states|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Tulloch |first1=John S. P. |last2=Owczarczak-Garstecka |first2=Sara C. |last3=Fleming |first3=Kate M. |last4=Vivancos |first4=Roberto |last5=Westgarth |first5=Carri |date=2021-01-19 |title=English hospital episode data analysis (1998–2018) reveal that the rise in dog bite hospital admissions is driven by adult cases |journal=Scientific Reports |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=1767 |doi=10.1038/s41598-021-81527-7 |issn=2045-2322 |pmc=7815787 |pmid=33469116|bibcode=2021NatSR..11.1767T }}</ref>

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There is debate on whether or not certain [[dog breed|breeds of dogs]] are inherently more prone to commit attacks causing serious injury (i.e., so driven by instinct and breeding that, under certain circumstances, they are exceedingly likely to attempt or commit dangerous attacks).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-01 |title=The dangerous dog debate {{!}} American Veterinary Medical Association |url=https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2017-11-15/dangerous-dog-debate |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=American Veterinary Medical Association |language=en}}</ref> It is recognized that the risk of dog bites can be increased by human actions such as abuse or bite training, or through inaction such as neglect, carelessness in confinement or lack of control.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Reese |first1=Laura A. |last2=Vertalka |first2=Joshua J. |date=2020-04-11 |title=Preventing Dog Bites: It Is Not Only about the Dog |journal=Animals |volume=10 |issue=4 |pages=666 |doi=10.3390/ani10040666 |doi-access=free |issn=2076-2615 |pmc=7222712 |pmid=32290463}}</ref>

<!-- Epidemiology -->
Significant dog bites affect tens of millions of people globally each year.<ref name=WHO2013>{{cite web|title=Animal bites Fact sheet N°373|url=https://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs373/en/|website=World Health Organization|access-date=5 May 2014|date=February 2013|archive-date=4 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504100257/http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs373/en/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Animal bites |url=https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/animal-bites |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=www.who.int |language=en}}</ref> It is estimated that 2% of the [[demography of the United States|U.S. population]],  4.5–4.7 million people, are bitten by dogs each year.<ref name="Dog Bite Prevention">{{cite web|title=Dog Bite Prevention|url=https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/dog-bites/biteprevention.html|publisher=[[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]]|access-date=22 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501205632/http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Dog-Bites/biteprevention.html|archive-date=1 May 2013}}</ref> Most bites occur in children,<ref name=AFP2014/> with nearly half of all children in the U.S. being bitten by a dog at least once by the age of 12.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Brian C. |authorlink=Brian C. Anderson |date=Spring 1999 |title=Scared of Pit Bulls? You'd Better Be! |url=https://www.city-journal.org/article/scared-of-pit-bulls-youd-better-be |work=City-Journal |publisher=Manhattan Institute for Policy Research |quote=Incredibly, nearly half of all American kids have been bitten by the age of 12. |location=New York City, New York|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511171825/https://www.city-journal.org/article/scared-of-pit-bulls-youd-better-be |archive-date=2023-05-11 }}</ref> In the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S. averaged 17 deaths per year.<ref name="pmid23727564">{{cite journal|last1=Sacks|first1=Jeffrey J|last2=Sinclair|first2=Leslie|last3=Gilchrist|first3=Julie|last4=Golab|first4=Gail C|last5=Lockwood|first5=Randall|year=2000|title=Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998|url=http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/images/dogbreeds-a.pdf|journal=[[Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association]]|volume=217|issue=6|pages=836–840|doi=10.2460/javma.2000.217.836|pmid=10997153|s2cid=10817039|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411211206/http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/images/dogbreeds-a.pdf|archive-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> Between 2011 and 2021 approximately 468 people were killed by dog bites in the United States, averaging 43 deaths per year.<ref name="cdc">{{cite web |title=Dog Bite Prevention |url=https://blogs.cdc.gov/nchs/2023/09/08/7452/ |website=Center for Disease Control |date=8 September 2023 |access-date=14 February 2024}}</ref> Between 2018 and 2021, deaths were more than doubled for both males (age 15 to 37) and females (age 20 to 44).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=CDCMMWR |date=2023 |title=QuickStats: Number of Deaths Resulting from Being Bitten or Struck by a Dog, by Sex — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2011–2021 |url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7236a6.htm |journal=MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report |language=en-us |volume=72 |issue=36 |page=999 |doi=10.15585/mmwr.mm7236a6 |pmid=37676834 |issn=0149-2195|pmc=10495186 }}</ref> Animal bites, most of which are from dogs, are the reason for 1% of visits to [[emergency department]]s in the United States.<ref name=AFP2014>{{cite journal |pmid=25250997 |url=http://www.aafp.org/link_out?pmid=25250997 |year=2014 |last1=Ellis |first1=R |title=Dog and cat bites |journal=American Family Physician |volume=90 |issue=4 |pages=239–43 |last2=Ellis |first2=C |access-date=25 August 2018 |archive-date=6 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906140032/https://www.aafp.org/link_out?pmid=25250997 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Cause ==
=== Breeds ===
All dog breeds can inflict a bite; breed is not an accurate predictor of whether or not a dog will bite.<ref name=avma2014/> In the US [[pit bull]]-type and [[Rottweilers]] most frequently are identified breeds in cases of severe bites.<ref name=AFP2014/><ref name=avma2014>{{cite web |url=https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/LiteratureReviews/Pages/The-Role-of-Breed-in-Dog-Bite-Risk-and-Prevention.aspx |publisher=American Veterinary Medical Association |title=Dog Bite Risk and Prevention: The Role of Breed |date=12 March 2015 |access-date=17 April 2015 |archive-date=30 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230053811/https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/LiteratureReviews/Pages/The-Role-of-Breed-in-Dog-Bite-Risk-and-Prevention.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> In a study comparing media accounts of 256 dog bite related deaths 2000–2009, when a strict definition was used ("documented pedigree, parentage information, or [[DNA test]] results or on the basis of concordance among media breed descriptor, animal control breed descriptor, and the veterinarian-assigned breed from a photograph") the resulting 45 dogs comprised 20 recognized breeds and 2 known crosses. The study also published information comparing when multiple media reports (or media reports compared with animal control reports) differed in reporting the breeds. When using a strict definition ("Rottweiler" is ''not'' equal to "Rottweiler-mix") 30%-40% of the reports varied. When using a less strict definition ("Rottweiler" and "Rottweiler-mix" ''are'' equal enough) only 12%-15% of the reports varied.<ref name="Patronek_et_al">{{cite journal |doi=10.2460/javma.243.12.1726 |pmid=24299544 |title=Co-occurrence of potentially preventable factors in 256 dog bite–related fatalities in the United States (2000–2009) |url=http://www.marylanddogfederation.com/uploads/1/6/6/0/16605940/javma_dbrf_factors_00-09_dec_2013.pdf |journal=Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association |volume=243 |issue=12 |pages=1726–1736 |year=2013 |last1=Patronek |first1=Gary J |last2=Sacks |first2=Jeffrey J |last3=Delise |first3=Karen M |last4=Cleary |first4=Donald V |last5=Marder |first5=Amy R |s2cid=6466457 |access-date=30 September 2021 |archive-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029203753/http://www.marylanddogfederation.com/uploads/1/6/6/0/16605940/javma_dbrf_factors_00-09_dec_2013.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{non sequitur|date=August 2021}}

A 2000 study by the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC) of human fatalities from dog bites during the twenty years 1979–1998, reported that pit bull-type dogs and Rottweilers were involved in more than half of the deaths.<ref name=pmid23727564/><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sacks |first1=J. J. |last2=Sinclair |first2=L. |last3=Gilchrist |first3=J. |last4=Golab |first4=G. C. |last5=Lockwood |first5=R. |date=2000-09-15 |title=Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998 |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10997153 |journal=Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association |volume=217 |issue=6 |pages=836–840 |doi=10.2460/javma.2000.217.836 |issn=0003-1488 |pmid=10997153}}</ref> Published in the [[Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association]], the [[American Veterinary Medical Association|AVMA's]] opinion was that the study could not be used to infer any breed-specific risk for dog bite fatalities without also noting the numbers of each breed residing in the US.<ref name="avmastatement">{{cite web|url=https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/resources/javma_000915_fatalattacks.pdf|publisher=American Veterinary Medical Association|title=Cover letter re article 'Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998'|access-date=6 July 2021}}</ref>

=== Dog behavior ===
In isolation, [[Man-eating animal|predatory behaviors]] are rarely the cause of an attack on a human.<ref>{{Cite book |first=Steven R. |last=Lindsay |doi=10.1002/9780470376997.ch8 |chapter=Social Competition and Aggression |title=Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Volume Two |pages=229–72 |year=2001 |isbn=9780470376997 }}</ref> Predatory aggression is more commonly involved as a contributing factor for example in attacks by multiple dogs; a "pack kill instinct" may arise if multiple dogs are involved in an attack.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/0020-1383(95)90550-H |pmid=7868208 |title=Severe dog-bite injuries, introducing the concept of pack attack: A literature review and seven case reports |journal=Injury |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=37–41 |year=1995 |last1=Kneafsey |first1=B |last2=Condon |first2=K.C }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1097/00000433-199909000-00005 |pmid=10507791 |title=Dog Pack Attack: Hunting Humans |journal=The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology |volume=20 |issue=3 |pages=243–246 |year=1999 |last1=Avis |first1=Simon P }}</ref>

== Prevention ==
[[File:Measures-for-preventing-dog-bites CDC m226a1b.gif|thumb|right|Measures for preventing dog bites<ref name=cdc2003>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5226a1.htm|title=Nonfatal Dog Bite--Related Injuries Treated in Hospital Emergency Departments --- United States, 2001|website=[[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]]}}</ref>]]
Dog bite prevention is efforts to prevent people being attacked and bitten by dogs. Legislative bodies have addressed concerns about dog bites that include [[Dog licence|licensing laws]], statutes outlawing [[Dog fighting|organized dogfights]], and [[Leash|leash laws]]. [[Breed-specific legislation|Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL)]] has been enacted in some areas limiting the ownership and activities of dogs perceived to be more likely to bite and attack.<ref>{{cite web |title=FL - Dogs - Florida Dog /Dangerous Dog Laws {{!}} Animal Legal & Historical Center |url=https://www.animallaw.info/statute/fl-dogs-florida-dog-dangerous-dog-laws#s11 |website=www.animallaw.info |access-date=27 November 2019 |archive-date=29 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129040602/https://www.animallaw.info/statute/fl-dogs-florida-dog-dangerous-dog-laws#s11 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.animallaw.info/statute/mi-dangerous-chapter-287-animal-industry-dangerous-animals|title=MI - Dangerous - Chapter 287. Animal Industry. Dangerous Animals. &#124; Animal Legal & Historical Center|website=www.animallaw.info|access-date=5 May 2017|archive-date=11 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611165250/https://www.animallaw.info/statute/mi-dangerous-chapter-287-animal-industry-dangerous-animals|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.animallaw.info/statute/oh-dog-chapter-955-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#s11|title=OH - Dog - Chapter 955. Dogs (Consolidated dog laws) &#124; Animal Legal & Historical Center|website=www.animallaw.info|access-date=5 May 2017|archive-date=3 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803214951/https://www.animallaw.info/statute/oh-dog-chapter-955-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#s11|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.animallaw.info/statute/mn-dangerous-minnesota-dangerous-dog-definitions-dog-bites-rabies-treatments|title=MN - Dangerous - Minnesota Dangerous Dog Definitions, Dog Bites, & Rabies Treatments &#124; Animal Legal & Historical Center|website=www.animallaw.info|access-date=5 May 2017|archive-date=11 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611165317/https://www.animallaw.info/statute/mn-dangerous-minnesota-dangerous-dog-definitions-dog-bites-rabies-treatments|url-status=live}}</ref> Dog breeds targeted by breed-specific regulations include [[Rottweiler]]s, [[American Staffordshire Terrier|American Staffordshire Bull Terriers]] ("Pit Bulls"), [[Chow Chow]]s, [[German Shepherd|German Shepherd Dogs]], and [[Dobermann|Doberman Pinschers.]] Other measures in preventing dog bites are [[Beware of the dog]] signage and locked dog enclosures.<ref name = Weiss2001/>

Some people, like the very young or the very old, are more susceptible to being bitten and therefore may need additional methods of prevention.<ref name = CDC2015/><ref name = AMA2017>{{cite web | title = Dog Bite Prevention | publisher = American Veterinary Medical Association | date = 2017 | access-date = 25 April 2017 | url = https://www.avma.org/public/Pages/Dog-Bite-Prevention.aspx | archive-date = 26 April 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170426060147/https://www.avma.org/public/Pages/Dog-Bite-Prevention.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref>

Dogs can be extremely territorial and protective. Dogs can attack anyone who poses a threat to their companions, whether humans, other dogs, or even cats. Dogs can rival bears and [[big cat]]s in ferocity when confronting [[burglar]]s, even if they are ordinarily docile.

In addition to causing pain, injury, or [[nerve damage]], almost one out of five bites becomes infected. Those who work and live around dogs should be aware of the risk and take precautions.<ref name = CDC2015/> [[Rabies]] is a particular risk associated with dog bites. According to the World Health Organization, 99% of the human rabies cases are caused by dogs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rabies |url=https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.who.int |language=en}}</ref> In the United States between 16,000 and 39,000 people come in contact with potentially rabid dogs and other animals and receive rabies [[immunizations|pre-]] and [[post-exposure prophylaxis]] against the rabies virus each year.<ref name = CDC2008>{{cite web | title = Human Rabies Prevention, United States, Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices | publisher = [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]], [[Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report]] | access-date = 25 April 2017 | date = 2008 | url = https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr57e507.pdf | page = 2 | archive-date = 25 April 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170425205036/https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr57e507.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref> Because anyone who is bitten by an unvaccinated dog is at risk of getting rabies, local [[Animal control service|animal control agencies]] or police are sometimes able to capture the animal and determine whether or not it is infected with rabies.<ref name = CDC2015>{{cite web | url = https://www.cdc.gov/features/dog-bite-prevention/index.html | date = 18 May 2015 | publisher = [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] | title = Preventing Dog Bites | access-date = 25 April 2017 | archive-date = 17 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190417073156/https://www.cdc.gov/features/dog-bite-prevention/index.html | url-status = dead }} {{PD-notice}} {{CDC}}</ref>

Identifying the risk of being bitten by a dog can prevent an [[Animal attack|attack]] and subsequent injury or death. Infants and children are more likely to be bitten. Small children can be attacked if they approach or play with a dog when they are not supervised. Among children, the rate of dog-bite–related injuries is highest for those five to nine years old. Children are more likely than adults to need medical attention for dog bites. Men are more likely than women to be bitten by a dog. Over half of dog-bite injuries occur in the home. Having a dog in the household is associated with a higher likelihood of being bitten than not having a dog. As the number of dogs in the home increases, so does the likelihood of being bitten. Adults with two or more dogs in the household are five times more likely to be bitten than those living without dogs at home.<ref name = CDC2015/><ref name = AMA2017/>

The behavior of a dog may not always indicate its friendliness or unlikelihood of biting. This is because when a dog wags its tail, most people interpret this as the dog expressing happiness and friendliness. Though indeed tail wagging can express these positive emotions, tail wagging is also an indication of fear, insecurity, anxiety, challenging of dominance, establishing social relationships or a warning that the dog may bite.<ref name = wagging>{{cite web | url = https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/canine-corner/201112/what-wagging-dog-tail-really-means-new-scientific-data | first = Stanley | last = Coren | date = 5 December 2011 | access-date = 30 April 2017 | title = What a Wagging Dog Tail Really Means: New Scientific Data Specific tail wags provide information about the emotional state of dogs | publisher = Psychology Today }}</ref>

== Health effects ==
[[File:Hundebiss Kind export.jpg|thumb|Wound on a child received from a dog bite]]
[[Rabies]] results in the death of approximately 55,000 people per year, with most of the causes due to dog bites.<ref name=WHO2013/> ''[[Capnocytophaga canimorsus]]'', [[MRSA]], [[tetanus]], and ''[[Pasteurella]]'' can be transmitted from a dog to someone bitten by the dog.<ref name=pmid18496505>{{cite journal |pmid=18496505 |url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5703a1.htm |year=2008 |last1=Manning |first1=S. E |title=Human rabies prevention--United States, 2008: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices |journal=[[Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report]] |volume=57 |issue=RR-3 |pages=1–28 |last2=Rupprecht |first2=C. E |last3=Fishbein |first3=D |last4=Hanlon |first4=C. A |last5=Lumlertdacha |first5=B |last6=Guerra |first6=M |last7=Meltzer |first7=M. I |last8=Dhankhar |first8=P |last9=Vaidya |first9=S. A |last10=Jenkins |first10=S. R |last11=Sun |first11=B |last12=Hull |first12=H. F |author13=Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Centers for Disease Control Prevention |access-date=25 August 2018 |archive-date=4 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204175641/https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5703a1.htm |url-status=live }} {{CDC}}</ref> ''[[Bergeyella zoohelcum]]'' is an emerging infection transmitted through dog bites.<ref name="ChenLiao2017">{{cite journal |doi=10.1186/s12879-017-2391-z |pmid=28403835 |pmc=5389159 |title=Bacteremia caused by Bergeyella zoohelcum in an infective endocarditis patient: Case report and review of literature |journal=BMC Infectious Diseases |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=271 |year=2017 |last1=Chen |first1=Yili |last2=Liao |first2=Kang |last3=Ai |first3=Lu |last4=Guo |first4=Penghao |last5=Huang |first5=Han |last6=Wu |first6=Zhongwen |last7=Liu |first7=Min |doi-access=free }}</ref> Infection with ''B. zoohelcum'' from dog bites can lead to [[bacteremia]].<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/s0929-6646(07)60008-4 |pmid=17660147 |title=Cellulitis and Bacteremia Caused by Bergeyella zoohelcum |journal=Journal of the Formosan Medical Association |volume=106 |issue=7 |pages=573–576 |year=2007 |last1=Lin |first1=Wei-Ru |last2=Chen |first2=Yao-Shen |last3=Liu |first3=Yung-Ching |doi-access=free }}</ref>

== Treatment ==
When a person receives a dog bite where the skin is broken, the risk of a serious infection can be reduced by cleaning the wound and getting appropriate health care treatment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Animal and Human Bites |url=https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/animal-and-human-bites/ |website=National Health Service (NHS) |date=17 October 2017 |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-date=13 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113122443/https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/animal-and-human-bites/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-12 |title=Dog bite infection: Symptoms, treatment, and complications |url=https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326976#preventing-infection |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=www.medicalnewstoday.com |language=en}}</ref> It is important to find out if the dog's rabies vaccinations are current.<ref name=CDC2015 /> A [[Cochrane review]] found that there is not much evidence for or against current practices of keeping dog bite wounds left open to heal for a short time before closure (delayed closure) or not stitched at all (no closure) over immediate closure by stitching.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bhaumik|first1=Soumyadeep|last2=Kirubakaran|first2=Richard|last3=Chaudhuri|first3=Sirshendu|date=2019-12-06|title=Primary closure versus delayed or no closure for traumatic wounds due to mammalian bite|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|volume=2019|issue=12|pages=CD011822|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD011822.pub2|issn=1469-493X|pmc=6894945|pmid=31805611}}</ref>

== Epidemiology ==
[[File:Stray dog warning kenting.jpg|thumb|A stray dog warning sign in [[Taiwan]]]]
Significant dog bites affect tens of millions of people globally each year.<ref name=WHO2013/> It is estimated that 1.5–2 percent of the US population, from 4.5 to 4.7 million people, are bitten by dogs yearly.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1136/ip.2007.016220 |pmid=18836045 |title=Dog bites: Still a problem? |journal=Injury Prevention |volume=14 |issue=5 |pages=296–301 |year=2008 |last1=Gilchrist |first1=J |last2=Sacks |first2=J J |last3=White |first3=D |last4=Kresnow |first4=M-J |s2cid=8417910 }}</ref><ref name="Dog Bite Prevention"/> Most bites occur in children.<ref name=AFP2014/> Over half of dog bite injuries occur at home with familiar dogs and having a dog in the household is linked to a higher likelihood of being bitten than not having a dog. As the number of dogs in the home increases, so does the likelihood of being bitten.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/features/dog-bite-prevention/index.html |title=Preventing Dog Bites |access-date=5 May 2017 |archive-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417073156/https://www.cdc.gov/features/dog-bite-prevention/index.html |url-status=dead |website=[[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]]}}</ref> Dog bites may transmit [[Zoonosis|zoonotic]] infections, which may also result in illness or death. Dogs are the primary source of rabies transmission to humans.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Langley |first1=Ricky L. |title=Human Fatalities Resulting From Dog Attacks in the United States, 1979–2005 |journal=Wilderness & Environmental Medicine |date=March 2009 |volume=20 |issue=1 |pages=19–25 |doi=10.1580/08-WEME-OR-213.1|pmid=19364181 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Information on the extent of traumatic injuries from dog attacks is incomplete, and the number of bites is thought to be underreported.<ref>Beck, A.M. and Jones, B.A. Unreported dog bites in children. Public Health Rep. 1985; 100: 315–321</ref><ref>Hanna, T.L. and Selby, L.A. Characteristics of the human and pet populations in animal bite incidents recorded at two Air Force bases. Public Health Rep. 1981; 96: 580–584</ref><ref name="wemjournal.org"/> In a survey of dog bites in Pennsylvania, the rate of dog bites was 36 times higher than what had been reported to authorities.<ref>Beck, A.M. and Jones, B.A. Unreported dog bites in children. Public Health Rep. 1985; 100: 315-321</ref><ref name="wemjournal.org"/> According to national estimates, almost 1,000 persons per day are seen in US emergency departments for dog bites.<ref name="wemjournal.org"/><ref>Weiss, H.B., Friedman, D.I., and Cohen, J.H. Incidence of dog bite injuries treated in emergency departments. JAMA. 1998; 279: 51–53</ref> It has been estimated that 1 out of 2 people will sustain a dog-related injury during his lifetime.<ref>Hoff, G.L., Cai, J., Kendrick, R., and Archer, R. Emergency department visits and hospitalizations resulting from dog bites, Kansas City, Mo, 1982–2002. Mo Med. 2005; 102: 565–568</ref><ref name="wemjournal.org"/> Most victims are involved in normal, apparently nonprovoking activities before dog attacks.<ref>Sacks, J.J., Lockwood, R., Hornreich, J., and Sattin, R.W. Fatal dog attacks. Pediatrics. 1996; 97: 891–895</ref><ref>Patrick, G.R. and O'Rourke, K.M. Dog and cat bites: epidemiologic analysis suggest different prevention strategies. Public Health Rep. 1998; 113: 252–257</ref><ref>American Veterinary Medical Association Task Force on Canine Aggression and Human-Canine Interactions. A community approach to dog bite prevention. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001; 218: 1732–1749</ref>

Animal bites, most of which are from dogs, are the reason for 1% of visits to an emergency department in the United States.<ref name=AFP2014/> Some people, like the very young or the very old are more susceptible to being bitten by a dog.<ref name = AMA2017/> From 1979 through 1994 there were approximately 279 deaths related to dog attacks in the United States.<ref name=cdcstats>{{cite web |title=Dog-Bite-Related Fatalities -- United States, 1995-1996 |url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00047723.htm |website=[[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] |publisher=Center for Disease Control |access-date=31 October 2019 |date=19 September 1998 |archive-date=18 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118195403/https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00047723.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

More serious injuries from dogs are often described in the media.<ref>{{cite news |agency=[[Reuters]]|title=Stray dog pack attacks Albanian town |url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=qw1097676540403B234 |work=IOL |date=13 October 2004 |access-date=21 January 2008 |quote=An Albanian town had to call in police and hunters after a pack of 200 stray mountain dogs attacked at least nine people. Headed by a clearly identifiable leader, the snarling pack overran the main street of the small northern town of Mamurras, its mayor said on Wednesday. "Even in the movies I have never seen a horde of 200 stray dogs from the mountains attacking people in the middle of a town," Anton Frroku said on Wednesday. He said the dogs bit at least nine people, aged from 20 to 60, dragging them to the ground and inflicting serious wounds. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222003340/http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1 |archive-date=22 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name = Weiss2001/> In 2010, more people were killed by dogs (34) than were hit by lightning (29).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thinkprogress.org/chart-only-15-americans-died-from-terrorism-last-year-fewer-than-from-dog-bites-or-lightning-strikes-398a59292832/|title=CHART: Only 15 Americans Died From Terrorism Last Year — Fewer Than From Dog Bites Or Lightning Strikes|website=[[ThinkProgress]]|date=25 August 2011 |access-date=23 June 2019|archive-date=23 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623205151/https://thinkprogress.org/chart-only-15-americans-died-from-terrorism-last-year-fewer-than-from-dog-bites-or-lightning-strikes-398a59292832/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Injury Facts Chart | publisher = National Safety Council | url = http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/injury-facts-chart.aspx | access-date = 9 April 2015 | archive-date = 14 April 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150414045943/http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/injury-facts-chart.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref> [[Emergency department]] visits and treatment by those bitten number in the thousands.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/S0929-6646(07)60008-4 |pmid=17660147 |title=Cellulitis and Bacteremia Caused by Bergeyella zoohelcum |journal=Journal of the Formosan Medical Association |volume=106 |issue=7 |pages=573–576 |year=2007 |last1=Lin |first1=Wei-Ru |last2=Chen |first2=Yao-Shen |last3=Liu |first3=Yung-Ching |doi-access=free }}</ref>

=== Australia ===
On average 2,061 people received treatment for dog bite injuries each year between 2001 and 2013.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rajshekar |first1=Mithun |last2=Blizzard |first2=Leigh |last3=Julian |first3=Roberta |last4=Williams |first4=Anne-Marie |last5=Tennant |first5=Marc |last6=Forrest |first6=Alex |last7=Walsh |first7=Laurence J. |last8=Wilson |first8=Gary |date=2017 |title=The incidence of public sector hospitalisations due to dog bites in Australia 2001–2013 |url=https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12630 |journal=Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |volume=41 |issue=4 |pages=377–380 |doi=10.1111/1753-6405.12630 |pmid=28712151 |issn=1326-0200|hdl=10072/346474 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

=== Austria ===
About 5,900 Austrians are treated annually after being bitten by dogs. One fifth of those injured are children.<ref>{{cite web| title=Tausende Verletzte durch Hundebisse(Thousands injured by dog bites)| publisher=Die Presse| url=http://diepresse.com/home/panorama/oesterreich/660724/Tausende-Verletzte-durch-Hundebisse| access-date=5 May 2017| date=5 October 2011| language=de| archive-date=4 August 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804172913/http://diepresse.com/home/panorama/oesterreich/660724/Tausende-Verletzte-durch-Hundebisse| url-status=live}}</ref><!--Thousands injured by dog bites. Every year 5900 Austrians are so seriously injured by dogs that they have to be treated in the hospital. The press, 10 May 2011, accessed 10 May 2011-->

=== United States ===
In the United States, approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Approximately twenty percent of dog bites become infected.<ref name=CDC2015 />

In a survey of dog bites in Pennsylvania, the rate of dog bites was 36 times higher than what had been reported to authorities. According to national estimates, almost 1,000 persons per day are seen in emergency departments for dog bites. It has been estimated that 1 out of 2 people will have a dog-related injury during their lifetime.<ref name="wemjournal.org">{{Cite journal|last=Langley|first=Ricky L.|date=1 March 2009|title=Human Fatalities Resulting From Dog Attacks in the United States, 1979–2005|url=https://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1080-6032(09)70079-1/abstract|journal=Wilderness & Environmental Medicine|language=en|volume=20|issue=1|pages=19–25|doi=10.1580/08-WEME-OR-213.1|issn=1080-6032|pmid=19364181|doi-access=free|access-date=5 November 2019|archive-date=26 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626165530/https://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1080-6032(09)70079-1/abstract|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Legal issues ==
{{Globalize|section|date=August 2021}}
Dog owners may be [[Legal liability|legally liable]] for the bites and injuries that their dog causes to people or other dogs. In addition, states and local governments have passed laws and ordinances that allow the government to take action against dogs that are considered dangerous.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Walden|first1=Charlotte|title=State Dangerous Dog Laws|url=https://www.animallaw.info/topic/state-dangerous-dog-laws|website=Animal Legal & Historical Center|publisher=Michigan State University|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=11 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011011211/https://www.animallaw.info/topic/state-dangerous-dog-laws|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>See, e.g., California Court Forms [http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms/documents/mc600.pdf MC-600] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118061757/http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms/documents/mc600.pdf |date=18 January 2009 }}, [http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms/documents/mc601.pdf MC-601] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118061111/http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms/documents/mc601.pdf |date=18 January 2009 }} (A notice of hearing that bears the warning: "DO NOT BRING THE DOG TO THE HEARING."), [http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms/documents/mc602.pdf MC-602] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118064635/http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms/documents/mc602.pdf |date=18 January 2009 }}, and [http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms/documents/mc603.pdf MC-603]</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=California Food & Agriculture Code, Sec. 31601|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAC&sectionNum=31601|website=California Legislative Information|publisher=California State Legislature|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=12 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812021759/https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAC&sectionNum=31601|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="texasdoglaw">{{cite web|title=Texas Health & Safety Code, Sec. 822.001 ''et seq''|url=http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/HS/htm/HS.822.htm|website=Texas State Legislature|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=9 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009160608/http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/HS/htm/HS.822.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In some cases, a dog owner may be criminally prosecuted for a dog attack on another person.<ref>See, e.g., {{cite news|last1=Waterman|first1=Cole|title=Bay City attorney offers legal perspective on felony dog bite case|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2011/01/bay_city_attorney_offers_legal.html|access-date=1 October 2017|publisher=MLive|date=7 January 2011|archive-date=12 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812053541/https://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2011/01/bay_city_attorney_offers_legal.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Michigandog>{{cite news|last1=Sytsma|first1=Craig|title=Couple Whose Dogs Fatally Mauled Jogger Charged With Murder|url=http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/08/01/murder-hearing-for-albanian-couple-whose-cane-corso-dogs-killed-jogger/|access-date=1 October 2017|publisher=CBSDetroit|date=1 August 2014|archive-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302093950/https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/08/01/murder-hearing-for-albanian-couple-whose-cane-corso-dogs-killed-jogger/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Homeowner's insurance]] policies typically provide some liability coverage for dog bites that occur on the insured properties.

=== United States ===

All US states recognize that a dog owner may be potentially liable for dog bites. Depending upon the state, the rules for when a dog owner may be liable for a bite will vary. Models of liability for dog bites fall into three broad categories:
* ''[[Common law]]''. At common law, a dog owner can be held liable for the injury caused by a dog that the owner knows, or has reason to know, may be dangerous. Many common law jurisdictions have historically recognized a "one bite" rule, meaning that absent information that suggests that a dog may be unusually dangerous to others, a dog owner cannot be held liable for the first bite injury caused by their dog.
* ''[[Strict liability]]''. States that impose strict liability make the owner of a dog liable for injuries caused by a dog, without further consideration of the facts. Strict liability laws may require that the person seeking damages for a dog bite prove that they were acting peacefully and lawfully at the time of the bite. The law may also recognize a limited range of [[Defense (legal)|defenses]] to liability, such as the dog owner successfully proving that the injured person was [[trespass]]ing at the time of the injury or had engaged in conduct that provoked the attack.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Orlando|first1=James|title=Liability for Dog Bites|url=https://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0459.htm|website=Office of Legislative Research|publisher=Connecticut General Assembly|access-date=25 October 2017|date=17 October 2012|archive-date=26 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026110631/https://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0459.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=C.G.S. Sec. 22-357. Damage by dogs to person or property|url=https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_435.htm#sec_22-357|website=Connecticut General Statutes|publisher=Connecticut General Assembly|access-date=25 October 2017|archive-date=9 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209001605/https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_435.htm#sec_22-357|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2023, thirty-six states impose some form of strict liability for dog attacks.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wisch |first1=Rebecca F. |last2=Conley |first2=Diamond |title=Table of Dog Bite Strict Liability Statutes |url=https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-dog-bite-strict-liability-statutes |website=www.animallaw.info |publisher=Animal Legal & Historical Center |access-date=7 February 2025 |date=2023}}</ref>
* ''Mixed law''. Many states take a mixed approach, passing [[statute]]s that are based upon the common law but that add additional elements that must be proven for a dog bite injury to succeed in an injury claim, or provide defenses not available at common law.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Hilary M. |title=Tort Law in Action and Dog Bite Liability: How the American Legal System Blocks Plaintiffs from Compensation |journal=Connecticut Law Review |date=February 2008 |volume=40 |issue=3 |page=845}}</ref>

The United States is not receptive to the idea that the dog itself can be criminally liable for a bite.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Girgen|first1=Jen|title=The Historical and Contemporary Prosecution and Punishment of Animals|journal=Animal Law Journal|date=2003|volume=9|pages=97|url=https://law.lclark.edu/live/files/26566-9cgirgen|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229201226/https://law.lclark.edu/live/files/26566-9cgirgen|url-status=live}}</ref> A California court explained that, although the tendency to [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphize]] animals is understandable, especially with beloved pets like dogs, the law does not recognize dogs as having the [[mens rea|mental state]] that can incur criminal liability. That is, although dogs and other animals may have the capacity to commit vicious and violent acts, they do not possess the legal ability to commit crimes.<ref>{{cite web|title=''People v. Frazier'', 173 Cal. App. 4th 613, 92 Cal. Rptr. 3d 794 (2009)|url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=16300059963846254523|website=Google Scholar|access-date=1 October 2017}}</ref>

States that have enacted legislation that assigns liability include Michigan,<ref>{{cite web|title=MCL 287.351. Person bitten by dog; liability of owner|url=http://www.legislature.mi.gov/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-287-351|website=Michigan Compiled Laws|publisher=Michigan State Legislature|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=3 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403002553/http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(l1jm0ju0o0otuzfoxzbxo1ix))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-287-351|url-status=live}}</ref> Rhode Island,<ref>{{cite web|title=Rhode Island Statutes, Sec. 4-13-16 Action for damages to animals – Double damages on second recovery – Destruction of offending dog|url=http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/title4/4-13/4-13-16.htm|website=Rhode Island Statutes|publisher=State of Rhode Island|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=22 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222034151/http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/title4/4-13/4-13-16.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Florida,<ref>{{cite web|title=Florida Statutes, Sec. 767.04. Dog owner's liability for damages to persons bitten|url=http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0767/Sections/0767.04.html|website=Online Sunshine|publisher=State of Florida|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=30 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130095306/http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799%2F0767%2FSections%2F0767.04.html|url-status=live}}</ref> California,<ref>{{cite web|title=California Civil Code, Sec. 3342. Damages for Wrongs|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=3342.|website=California Legislative Information|publisher=California State Legislature|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=25 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225011545/http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=3342.|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=''Priebe v. Nelson'', 47 Cal.Rptr.3d 848, 47 Cal. Rptr.3d 553, 39 Cal. 4th 1112 (2006)|url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=10265594634781460533|website=Google Scholar|access-date=1 October 2017}}</ref> and Texas.<ref name="texasdoglaw"/>

== See also ==

* [[List of fatal dog attacks]] 
* [[Animal attack]]
* [[Beware of the dog]]
* [[Breed-specific legislation]]
* [[Cat bite]]
* [[Coyote attack]]
* [[Dingo attack]]
* [[Dog aggression]]
* [[Dog behavior]]
* [[Dogs in the United States]]
* [[Man bites dog]]
* [[Rabies]]
* [[Wolf attacks on humans]]

== Further reading ==

* {{Cite journal |date=2022 |editor-last=Daigle |editor-first=L |editor2-last=Delesalle |editor2-first=L |editor3-last=Ravel |editor3-first=A |editor4-last=Ford |editor4-first=B |editor5-last=Aenishaenslin |editor5-first=C |title=Occurrence and Risk Factors of Dog Bites in Northern Indigenous Communities: A Scoping Review |journal=Frontiers in Veterinary Science |pmid=35518635|pmc=9064469 |last1=Daigle |first1=L. |last2=Delesalle |first2=L. |last3=Ravel |first3=A. |last4=Ford |first4=B. |last5=Aenishaenslin |first5=C. |volume=9 |doi=10.3389/fvets.2022.777640 |doi-access=free }}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Alizadeh |first1=Kaveh |last2=Shayesteh |first2=Ali |last3=Li Xu |first3=Min |date=2017 |title=An Algorithmic Approach to Operative Management of Complex Pediatric Dog Bites: 3-Year Review of a Level I Regional Referral Pediatric Trauma Hospital |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000001431 |journal=Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open |volume=5 |issue=10 |pages=e1431 |doi=10.1097/GOX.0000000000001431|pmid=29184724 |pmc=5682160 }}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Medical resources
|  DiseasesDB      =
|  ICD10           = W54 (Bitten or struck by dog)
|  ICD9            = {{ICD9|E906.0}}
|  OMIM            =
|  GeneReviewsName =
|  MedlinePlus = 000888
|  eMedicineSubj = emerg
|  eMedicineTopic =
|  MeshID =
}}
* {{wikivoyage inline|Aggressive dogs}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110623034641/https://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/dogbites.htm NCIPC bibliography of articles on dog bites] (2011)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141021030950/http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/dog-bites/index.html CDC Dog Bite Factsheet] (2014)

{{Domestic dog}}
{{Lists of fatal dog attacks}}
{{Animal bites and stings}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dog Attack}}
[[Category:Dog  behavior|Attacks]]
[[Category:Canid attacks|*]]
[[Category:Dogs]]
[[Category:Animal bites]]