Facts and figures related to dog bites help in understanding the problem better, and in turn help in minimizing dog bite incidents in the country.

The following are some important dog bite statistics:

1) The latest statistics reveal that approximately 4.7 million dog bites or related attacks occur every year in U.S.

2) Approximately 2% of the American population is bitten by dogs annually.

3) Approximately 800,000 of dog bite cases demand medical attention due to their severity, with nearly 44% of these cases involving children under the age of 14.

4) It might come as a surprise to many, but it is a fact that dog bites rank second in causing emergency room visits for the children.

5) There are almost 914 dog bite cases in a day which demand immediate emergency medical attention in U.S.

6) Statistics reveal that dogs targeted the face of the victim in 77% of the cases.

7) On an average, dog bites contribute to about 18 deaths in a year. There were 304 deaths between the years 1979 and 1996 in U.S. which were attributed to dog bites.

Statistics support the view of many experts that while dog bites are common, deaths as a result of these bites are rare. It is very important to recognize the fact that while all dog breeds can bite, majority of the dog killing episodes involve a few specific breeds.

Statistics reveal that all breed of dogs can bite and do bite in provocative circumstances. It is crucial to recognize these provocative circumstances and to discourage the biting tendencies of the dogs.