Dog Attacks on the Rise: States With the Highest Risk in the U.S.

Dog ownership is widespread across the United States, but new data indicate that dog-related injuries are creating a growing concern for families, insurers, workers, and communities. Insurance claims involving dog bites and other dog-related injuries rose sharply in 2025, while several states continued to record some of the highest numbers of reported incidents.

According to research from the Insurance Information Institute, also known as Triple-I, and State Farm, U.S. insurers recorded 28,450 dog bite and related injury claims in 2025, compared with 22,658 claims in 2024. That represents an increase of more than 25 percent in a single year. Insurers paid approximately $1.86 billion for these claims in 2025, an 18.6 percent increase from the previous year.

The latest figures highlight the importance of responsible dog ownership, public awareness, and prevention efforts, particularly in communities where residents frequently encounter unfamiliar dogs.

California and Florida Remain High on the List

California and Florida have consistently reported some of the largest numbers of dog-related insurance claims in the country. Triple-I reported that both states recorded more than 2,000 claims in 2025.

Earlier insurance data also placed California at the top of the national list. In 2023, the state recorded an estimated 2,104 dog bite claims, followed by Florida with 1,532. Texas ranked third with 1,040 claims.

However, the number of incidents alone does not tell the entire story. The financial impact of an attack can vary considerably depending on medical expenses, the severity of the injury, settlements, and other factors.

New York, for example, has recorded some of the highest average claim costs. Triple-I reported that New York had the highest average cost per dog-related claim in 2025, at approximately $92,154, followed by Connecticut and California.

This means a state with fewer reported attacks can still face a substantial overall burden when individual injuries result in expensive medical treatment and legal claims.

Why Dog Bite Claims Are Increasing

Several factors may contribute to the increase in dog-related injury claims. The United States has a large and growing dog population, with millions of households keeping at least one dog.

Triple-I cites American Veterinary Medical Association estimates indicating that about 90 million dogs live in U.S. households. The organization also notes that approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, with children representing a particularly vulnerable group.

Higher medical costs can also affect the value of insurance claims. Even when the number of incidents remains relatively stable, more expensive emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and other medical services can increase the financial consequences of an attack.

Triple-I reported that the average cost of a dog-related injury claim reached $65,450 in 2025. Although that figure was lower than the $69,272 average recorded in 2024, the average cost has increased substantially over the longer term.

Fatal Dog Attacks Add to the Concern

Insurance claims measure a broad range of incidents and should not be confused with fatal attacks. Fatality statistics are tracked separately through public health mortality databases, including CDC WONDER.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WONDER system provides mortality information based on death certificates and allows researchers to examine deaths by cause, location, age, and other demographic factors.

Reports citing CDC WONDER data have pointed to a significant rise in fatal dog attacks in recent years. Because mortality datasets and insurance claims use different definitions and collection methods, the figures should be interpreted separately rather than combined into a single measure of risk.

Postal Workers Face a Particular Challenge

Dog attacks are not limited to private visitors or pedestrians. Postal employees routinely enter neighborhoods and approach homes, making them particularly exposed to dogs.

The U.S. Postal Service reported that its employees experienced more than 5,200 dog attacks in 2025. Although that was down from approximately 6,000 incidents in 2024, the number remains substantial.

California recorded the largest number of attacks on postal employees, with 673 incidents. Texas followed with 358, while Ohio recorded 287, New York 269, and Pennsylvania 267. Florida ranked seventh with 183 reported incidents.

At the city level, Los Angeles recorded the highest number of reported attacks involving postal employees, with 70 incidents in 2025. Dallas followed with 50, while Denver reported 45. Houston and Chicago rounded out the top five with 44 and 43 incidents, respectively.

These numbers demonstrate how ordinary activities, such as receiving mail or packages, can create situations in which dogs and unfamiliar people come into close contact.

Responsible Dog Ownership Can Help Prevent Attacks

Experts and safety organizations emphasize that prevention starts with understanding canine behavior and maintaining proper control of pets.

Triple-I recommends socializing dogs gradually, using positive training methods, supervising children around dogs, keeping pets leashed during walks, and making sure fences and gates are secure. Owners are also encouraged to pay attention to signs that a dog is stressed, uncomfortable, sick, or in pain.

Children require particular attention because they may not recognize warning signs from an unfamiliar animal. Parents and caregivers should teach children not to approach strange dogs without permission and should supervise interactions between children and pets.

Homeowners should also understand their insurance coverage. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies commonly provide dog bite liability coverage, although coverage limits and exclusions vary by policy and insurer. Triple-I notes that liability limits are commonly between $100,000 and $300,000, with owners potentially responsible for damages above the applicable limit.

What the New Data Means

The latest dog attack statistics do not mean that every dog represents a danger. Most dogs never seriously injure anyone, and responsible ownership can significantly reduce the possibility of an incident.

Instead, the data illustrate the importance of prevention as dog ownership remains widespread. Rising insurance claims, substantial medical costs, and thousands of attacks involving postal employees show that dog-related injuries can have consequences for victims, owners, insurers, and communities.

The safest approach is straightforward: owners should properly train and secure their dogs, adults should supervise children around animals, and people encountering unfamiliar dogs should give them space and avoid provoking or approaching them without permission.

As dog ownership continues to be a normal part of American life, education and responsible pet management remain important tools for reducing dog bites and protecting both people and animals.

Sources: Insurance Information Institute and State Farm data on dog-related injury claims; CDC WONDER mortality data; U.S. Postal Service dog attack statistics.