States With Most Dog Bites – Where Does NJ Rank?
It is estimated that close to 90 million dogs live in the United States. Dogs are often seen as man’s best friend, but is that really the case?
It’s true in most cases. Dogs do tend to love their owners and other people, generally speaking. But of course there are cases where they don’t. Some dogs are just not well-socialized. They may attack their owners and other people, biting them and causing serious or even fatal injuries.
Are there states where dog bites are more common? Here’s a look at the states where dog bites are most common.
New Jersey
New Jersey ranks #9 on the list. In 2023, there were 649 claims in the state, and they were valued at $40.4 million. Interestingly, New Jersey has one of the lowest rates of pet ownership in the country. However, it is also one of the most densely populated states, so there are still plenty of dogs and dog bite claims.
California
California is the #1 state for dog bites, and this should come as no surprise, as the state owns more dogs than any state in the nation. In fact, nearly 40% of California households own at least one dog. California had 2,104 claims in 2023, valued at $143.3 million. Many dogs in the state are serious. In 2022, there were 48,596 dog bites serious enough to warrant visits to the ER.
Florida
Florida ranked #2 on the list, with 1,532 claims. These claims were valued at $102.1 million. Florida has a bite rate of 25.2 out of every 100,000 people, which is much higher than the national average of 18.9 bites per capita. Children make up more than half of all dog bite victims in the state.
Texas
Texas has a major problem with dog bites given that the state ranks #9 for dog ownership percentage but #3 for the most dog bite claims. In 2023, there were 1,040 claims in the state, with a value of $62.3 million. Texas also has a history with serious bites. The state has led the country in terms of number of fatal dog bites in the past. In other years, it is usually up in the top three.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Dogs are not always friendly creatures. These animals can be fun but they also require a lot of work and responsibility. Fear and poor training can cause them to be mean, and this can lead to aggressive confrontations with strangers.
If you have been a victim, get the help you need from a Morristown dog bite injury attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff. Our legal team has extensive experience helping clients injured by dog attacks and dog bites to recover full and fair compensation. Schedule a consultation with our office today by filling out the online form or calling (973) 455-1567.
Source:
thezebra.com/resources/home/states-with-the-most-dog-bites/
