Dog Bite Injuries by the Numbers
- According to org, approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States, with about one in five of those dog bites becoming infected.
- In 2018, nearly 27,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of a dog bite.
- Those in rural areas are more likely to be bitten by a dog than those in urban areas, with four times as many dog bite-related ER visits among rural residents.
- About 1,000 individuals are treated in ER departments each day for non-fatal dog bites.
- Pit bulls are 4.4 times more likely to bite than other “top-biting” breeds and are more likely to attack without provocation.
- Any dog can bite - it is not breed-specific.
Dog Bites and Premises Liability Claims in Georgia
If you were on public property—or were on private property legally—then dog bites fall under premises liability claims. This means that the owner of the property is responsible for ensuring it is safe for others. Each state sets its own laws for dog bites and these laws can vary significantly.
The state of Georgia uses a “modified” one-bite rule. This means that the owner is liable if they knew the dog was vicious, if the owner was careless, or if the attack was unprovoked. These modifications to the strict one-bite rule make it easier for victims of dog bites to obtain full compensation for injuries sustained in an unprovoked dog bite or attack. Further, even if the dog in question has never actually bitten another person but has exhibited aggressive behaviors (like charging at people, excessive growling, or pulling away from its owner in an attempt to attack another person or dog), the owner can be held liable.
