Dog Bite Risks in America: Where Are They Highest?

When we think about dangerous animals, we often picture sharks and bears. But actually, one of the most daunting threats might just be lounging on your couch right now.

According to estimates from the CDC, around 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. That translates to someone landing in an emergency room due to a dog bite approximately every 80 seconds.

A new study has shed light on which areas in the U.S. pose the highest risk for dog bite-related insurance claims. Fascinating, right?

New York ranks ninth in this assessment, with 1,308 claims reported in 2025, giving residents about a 1 in 15,189 chance of facing a dog bite from their furry friend, as per research from Gamble Mind.

Dog bite incidences in New York City spiked nearly 25% within just one year, rising from 4,041 bites in 2024 to 5,049 in 2025.

Staten Island was highlighted as the borough with the highest dog bite rate in the city, recording 395 reported bites in 2025. This equates to about one bite for every 1,261 residents.

In terms of raw numbers, Manhattan and Queens each reported 1,192 bites. However, due to Manhattan’s smaller population, the bite rate there is higher at one in 1,393 compared to one in 1,944 for Queens.

Interestingly, Brooklyn had the lowest rate among the boroughs, even though it logged 1,126 incidents, translating to roughly one bite for every 2,325 residents.

On a broader scope, Michigan leads the pack, with residents facing a one in 7,073 chance of being involved in a dog bite insurance claim. Quite alarming, isn’t it? The Wolverine State had 1,432 claims in 2025, pushing its population-adjusted claim rate a staggering 69% above the national average—it’s three times the rate found in Texas.

In March, a tragic incident took place where a five-day-old baby girl was fatally injured after being left alone with a dog that the family had recently adopted.

Indiana comes in second with 824 claims, giving residents a one in 8,463 likelihood of a dog bite. Ohio follows close behind with 1,348 claims, leading to odds of one in 8,828. Pennsylvania is right in the mix as well, with 1,324 claims translating to one in 9,864 odds. Illinois saw 1,283 claims, giving a rate of one in 9,914.

Florida holds the sixth spot with a notable 2,347 claims, though its larger population decreases the odds to one in 9,958.

New Jersey ranks seventh with 818 claims and odds of one in 11,673. Conversely, California recorded the highest number of claims at 2,830 but landed in eighth place because its vast population lowers the odds to one in 13,933.

Finally, Texas rounds out the top ten with 1,313 claims and a one in 23,832 chance of encountering a dog bite.