Dog bites are more common than most people realize, and they can happen with any breed. Some incidents are minor, but many result in serious injuries that require emergency medical care.
If you were bitten by a dog in Oklahoma, learning about both the data behind dog bites and your legal rights under state law is an important place to start. We’ll go over the details you should know about in the sections to follow.
What the Numbers Show About Dog Bites by Breed
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) estimates that millions of dog bites occur in the United States each year. Dogs of many breeds are involved in these incidents, although some breeds appear more frequently in reported attacks than others.
Breed statistics should be interpreted carefully, however. The number of reported attacks involving a breed does not necessarily show how likely an individual dog is to bite.
Which Dog Breeds Are Most Often Involved in Fatal Attacks?
According to data compiled by DogsBite.org, pit bull-type dogs were involved in around 66% of fatal dog attacks over a fifteen-year period. Rottweilers accounted for the next highest share during that period.
Other breeds that have appeared in national bite reports include:
- German Shepherds
- Mixed-breed dogs
- Chow Chows
- Labrador Retrievers
- Jack Russell Terriers
Fatal attack statistics do not mean that every dog belonging to one of these breeds is dangerous.
Does Breed Predict Whether a Dog Will Bite?
Breed alone is not a reliable predictor of whether a particular dog will bite. The AVMA has cautioned against using breed by itself to predict aggressive behavior.
A dog’s training, socialization, environment, health, treatment by its owner, and the circumstances of an encounter can all influence its behavior. As a result, statistics about particular breeds should not be used to predict how an individual dog will behave.
Why Dog Bite Statistics by Breed Can Be Misleading
Breed-specific statistics have several limitations. Dogs may be identified by appearance or witness accounts rather than verified breed information, making some reports inaccurate.
Raw attack totals also do not necessarily account for how common each breed is in the overall dog population. These limitations make it difficult to use bite statistics alone to determine that one breed is inherently more dangerous than another.
How Oklahoma Law Handles Dog Bite Claims
Regardless of the breed involved, Oklahoma applies a strict liability standard under 4 O.S. § 42.1. A dog owner can be responsible for damages when their dog bites or injures someone who was lawfully present and did not provoke the animal.
Oklahoma does not follow the “one bite” rule, so a victim does not have to prove that the owner already knew the dog was dangerous. Compensation may include economic losses, such as medical bills and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
The strict liability statute does not apply in certain rural areas without city or village mail delivery service. Different rules may apply in those cases.
Call McIntyre Law To Schedule a Free Consultation With an Oklahoma City Dog Bite Attorney
A dog bite can lead to lasting physical harm and serious emotional effects. If you were harmed by someone else’s dog in Oklahoma, you may have a valid claim for compensation under the state’s strict liability law, no matter what breed was involved.
Reach out to McIntyre Law for help today. We proudly serve injured clients throughout Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, and surrounding communities across Oklahoma.
McIntyre Law P.C. – Oklahoma City
8601 S Western Ave,
Oklahoma City, OK 73139
Monday–Friday: 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
(405) 917-5200