Illinois Ranks Second in Dog Bites in the United States

Illinois Ranks Second in Dog Bites in the United States

By: James Allegretti

The Associated Press reports that about 4.5 million people, including more than 2 million children, were bitten by dogs in the United States in 2013. A State Farm Insurance survey ranked Illinois second in dog bites in 2013, according to The Southern Illinoisan.

Dog-Bite Information and Statistics

The State Farm Insurance survey covers only State Farm policyholders, but it purports to be a good indicator for all policyholders, as State Farm insures one-third of homes in Illinois.

The survey reports that Illinois had 309 claims for dog bites from State Farm homeowner insurance policies and approximately $9 million paid. California, which ranked first in the survey, had 449 claims and $14.7 million paid.

In total, State Farm paid $104 million for 3,700 dog bite claims in 2013, according to CBS News. Over the past five years, State Farm has paid $510 million for dog-bite claims. The Insurance Information Institute estimates that insurers across the United States paid out more than $483 million for dog-bite claims in 2013.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides some other statistics and information related to dog bites:

• Almost one-fifth of people who are bitten by dogs require medical attention;
• Children are more likely than adults to require medical attention for dog bites;
• Among children, dog bites are most common in children between the ages of five and nine years old;
• More than 27,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery because of dog bites in 2012;
• Adult males are more likely than adult females to be bitten by a dog;
• Having a dog in the home is associated with a higher number of dog bites;
• As the number of dogs in the household increases, so does the number of dog bites; and
• Adults with more than one dog in the home are five times more likely to be bitten than those without a dog in the home. 

Tips for Dog Owners

The CDC provides the following tips for people who want to bring a dog into their home:

• Spay or neuter your dog, as doing so often helps reduce aggressiveness;

• Never leave children alone with your dog;
• Do not play aggressively with your dog;
• Properly socialize and train your dog;
• Teach your dog submissive behaviors; and
• Seek professional advice if your dog develops aggressive behaviors.

Safety Tips

People should also keep in mind the following safety tips:

• Never leave a child alone with a dog—even if it is a dog you know and trust;
• Always ask permission before you approach, touch or play with a dog you do not know;
• Be especially cautious about approaching a dog that is behind a fence, on a chain or inside a vehicle;
• Never scare a dog or attempt to take something from it;
• Do not disturb a dog that is eating, sleeping or caring for its puppies; and
• Do not pet a dog without first letting it see you and sniff you.

If You Are Bitten by a Dog

In the event you are bitten by a dog in Park Ridge, Schaumburg, Des Plaines or elsewhere in the Chicago area, you should immediately report the dog bite to animal control or your county health department. Furthermore, you should speak with an attorney who can help you recover compensation for your injuries.