This data highlights information compiled and reported by DogsBite.org, based on the number of pit bull dog attacks reported in the media during the first six months of 2009 (January through June). It does not include data for unreported pit bull attacks

Children Are More Likely to be Severely Injured by Pit Bulls than Adults

• The 21-54 age group suffered the most pit bull bites 42% (163)
• The 5-11 group with 24% (94); and
• The 12-20 group with 13% (51).

The combination of two groups (0-4 and 5-11) with 36% still incurred fewer bites than the 21-54 group. Yet the combined 0-11 group suffered a higher percentage of severe injury, 72%, than the 21-54 group, which suffered 60%.

The group that incurred the highest rate of severe injury by pit bulls was children ages 0-4 ( 84%), followed by children ages 5-11 ( 66%.)

Adults are More Likely to be Killed by Pit Bulls

Pit bulls are more likely to fatally injury an adult than a child. Between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2008, pit bulls killed 54% more adults, ages 21 and over, 54%, than they did children, ages 11 and younger (46%.) In the 21-54 age group, pit bulls were responsible for 82% (14) of the deaths. The data indicates that pit bulls do not only kill children and senior citizens; they kill men and women in their prime years as well.

In a study report published by the nonprofit organization, DogsBite.org, “The report also shows that of the six victim age groups documented, the 55 and older group suffered the most fatalities 26% (23), followed by the 2-4 age group 22% (19). Between the ages of 0-4, the study reveals that 14% (12) of the fatal attacks involved a “watcher,” a person such as a grandparent or babysitter watching the child. Of these attacks, 75% (9) involved a grandparent type.”

Pit Bulls Attack More People in Public Places than Other Dogs

Property information was available in 310 incidents. The data shows that 68% (212) of the pit bull bites occurred off owner property and 32% (98) occurred on owner property. 70% of non-breed specific dog bites occur on the dog owner’s property; pit bulls escape owner property and attack people in public places 34% more frequently than non-breed specific dogs.

States with the Highest Number of Pit Bull Dog Attacks

During the first six months of 2009 (January through June), the states with the highest number of media reported pit bull attack victims were:

• Texas (38)
• Florida (34)
• Ohio (21)
• Pennsylvania (18)
• Virginia (18)
• New York (16)

Counties with the Highest Number of Pit Bull Attacks

During the same period in 2009, individual counties in the United States with the highest number of victims of pit bull attacks were:

• Allegheny, PA (8)
• Essex, MA and Dallas, TX (each with 7)
• Cook, IL, Marion, IN, Clark, NV and Salt Lake, UT (each with 6).

The data also reveals that at least three attacks involved a single pit bull injuring up to four people in the same incident. In two of these incidents (Jeffersonville, KY and Peabody, MA), three of the four victims suffered severe pit bull bite injury, one of whom received 2,500 stitches to his face and arm. Each of these incidents also involved one victim requiring a helicopter airlift to a major trauma center. Both attacks occurred inside a residential home and were inflicted by a pet pit bull.

• 318 pit bull attacks reported by the media;
• 388 people were bitten in these attacks (statistics include multiple people bitten by one dog in a single attack);
• 248 (64%) of the dog attack victims suffered severe pit bull dog bite injuries, which required medical care;
• 140 (36%) of the pit bull dog attack victims suffered minor dog bite injuries;
• 10 (4%) of the victims had one or more body parts severed — 16 severed parts in all;
• 6 (2%) of the victims died as a result of the pit bull mauling.

Profile of Victims of 2009 Reported Attacks from Pit Bull Dogs

• 42% of the dog bites were to the 21-54 age group
• 24% of the pit bull attacks were to the 5-11 age group
• 13% of the pit bull attacks were to the 12-20 age group.
• The age group 0-4 suffered 84% of the most severe injuries

The report notes that while the 0-11 age group incurred fewer attacks, that age group suffered the worst injuries.

_{Source: DogsBite.org. Mid Year Results: U.S. Pit Bull Attacks 2009. August 24, 2009; 3-Year Fatality Study: U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities January 2006 to December 2008. April 22, 2009.}