Dog bite statistics in Arizona, nationwide may surprise you. Get the facts
There are more than 78 million dogs in America, according to the American Pet Products Association. Most dogs are well behaved and beloved family members. But dogs can be dangerous animals and bite people, resulting in serious, sometimes fatal injuries.
Dog bite injuries are among the most common type of injuries people sustain in America. Each year, 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those people bit by dogs, one in five injuries require medical attention. That’s nearly 900,000 people requiring medical treatment for injuries caused by dog bites.
Dog bite attack fatalities
In 2011, 31 people died due to injuries sustained in a dog attack. Included among these people who died as a result of injuries related to a dog bite were 61-year-old Michael Cook of Tucson, Arizona. According to the web site dogsbite.org, Cook died due to injuries caused by his pet pit bull. Cook’s dog viciously attacked him, requiring Cook to undergo two surgeries and receive 60 pints of blood. Over the next 20 days, Cook had both arms amputated and he suffered liver failure and kidney damage before eventually succumbing to his injuries and dying.
The cost of treating injuries due to dog bites and attacks is nearly half a billion dollars. CBS News reported that nearly $479 million in dog bite claims were paid by all insurance companies in 2011, according to statistics provided by the Insurance Information Institute.
How a dog bite attorney in Phoenix can help
Dog bites happen fast. But the effects of such injuries can last a lifetime. If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Arizona, contact a Phoenix dog bite lawyer who can help you get your life back on track. Contact Israel & Gerity, PLLC. Founded by Kyle A. Israel and Michael E. Gerity, our law firm has helped people dealing with dog bites in Tucson, Scottsdale, Mesa, Sedona and throughout Arizona. We may also be able to provide you with legal advice if your dog bit someone.
Contact us and find out what a top-notch Arizona dog bite attorney can do for you.