Dog Bite Statistics: How Common Are Dog Bites in 2026?

Most dogs never bite anyone, but with dogs in about 71 million American homes, bites still add up. We pulled the newest 2026 data from the insurance industry, the US Postal Service and veterinary groups, so you can see how often bites happen, what they cost and how to prevent them, especially around kids and backyard animals.

Key numbers at a glance

How common are dog bites in the US?

Millions of Americans are bitten by dogs every year, hundreds of thousands need medical care, and about half of victims are children, according to the AVMA. There is no single national count of every bite, because most minor bites are never reported.

Hospital data gives a sense of scale. A national study of emergency department visits found dog bites sent people to the ER at a rate of 13.5 per 10,000 people, and 20.8 per 10,000 for children under 18. Kids ages 6 to 11 had the highest rate, and most of them were boys (Lurie Children’s). That study covered 2002 to 2017, the latest national ER analysis available.

How much do dog bite claims cost?

A lot, and more every year. US homeowners and renters insurers paid $1.86 billion on 28,450 dog bite and dog related injury claims in 2025, according to the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm. Payouts rose 18.6% and claims rose more than 25% from 2024 (Insurance Information Institute).

The average claim cost $65,450 in 2025, down 5.5% from $69,272 in 2024. Over 10 years, though, claims are up 57% and the average cost per claim is up 97% (Insurance Information Institute).

Which states have the most dog bite claims?

California and Florida each had more than 2,000 dog bite claims in 2025, the most of any state; California logged about 2,830 and Florida about 2,347 (RatesChaser). New York had the highest average cost per claim at $92,154, followed by Connecticut and California (Insurance Information Institute).

How many mail carriers are bitten by dogs?

Dogs attacked more than 5,200 US Postal Service employees in 2025 (USPS). California had the most attacks at 673, nearly double second place Texas at 358, followed by Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania.

Los Angeles topped the city list with 70 attacks on letter carriers, followed by Dallas (50), Denver (45), Houston (44) and Chicago (43) (USPS).

Are children more likely to be bitten by dogs?

Yes. About half of all dog bite victims are children (AVMA), and kids under 18 visit the ER for dog bites at a higher rate than adults, 20.8 versus 13.5 per 10,000 people overall (Lurie Children’s). Small children are often bitten on the face because they are at a dog’s eye level.

Most bites come from a dog the child knows, often the family dog or a neighbor’s. That is why supervision and teaching kids how to read a dog’s body language matter more than avoiding strange dogs.

How can you prevent dog bites at home?

• Never leave young kids alone with a dog, even a gentle one.
• Teach kids to ask first before petting any dog, and to leave dogs alone while they eat or sleep.
• Watch for warning signs like a stiff body, lip licking, a tucked tail or showing teeth.
• Secure your dog when the mail arrives. USPS lets carriers skip delivery when a loose dog is a threat.
• Socialize and train early, and spay or neuter, which many vets recommend to reduce aggression.

Dogs and backyard flocks need the same care. A dog that chases chickens can learn to bite; our guides on how chickens defend themselves and aggressive roosters cover the other side of the barnyard. For breed trends, see our most popular dog breeds list.

How we gathered these numbers

Insurance figures come from the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm’s April 2026 release covering 2025. Mail carrier figures come from the USPS June 2026 release. Bite and ER rates come from the AVMA and the most recent national emergency department study. There is no official national count of all dog bites, so we only use measured figures.

Frequently Asked Questions