Posted on June 1, 2021 by Colleen Lynn

2020 U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Statistics - DogsBite.org

Fatal Dog Attack Statistics
DogsBite.org recorded 46 fatal dog attacks in 2020. Pit bulls contributed to 72% (33) of these deaths, over 16 times higher than any other dog breed. During this pandemic year, media reports of fatal dog maulings fell by 45%. In response, our nonprofit sent out 30 FOIAs to various offices and uncovered 6 unreported deaths in 2020. The last time the CDC collected breed data about dogs involved in fatal human attacks was 1998. Pit bulls have killed over 440 Americans since.

46 U.S. dog bite-related fatalities occurred in 2020. Despite being regulated in Military Housing areas and over 900 U.S. cities, pit bulls contributed to 72% (33) of these deaths. Pit bulls make up about 6.2% of the total U.S. dog population.
During the 16-year period of 2005 to 2020, canines killed 568 Americans. Two dog breeds, pit bulls (380) and rottweilers (51), contributed to 76% (431) of these deaths. 37 different dog breeds were involved in the remaining fatal dog maulings.
In 2020, the combination of pit bulls (33), additional bull breeds (4) and mastiff-type guard dogs and war dogs (3) -- the types used to create "baiting" bull breeds and fighting breeds -- accounted for 87% (40) of all dog bite-related deaths.
See full report: 2020 U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Statistics - DogsBite.org
News release: Nonprofit Releases 2020 Dog Bite Fatality Statistics - Attacks by Bull Breeds Increase and Trends from the 16 Year Data Set

This year's release includes statistics from our 16 year data set. From Jan. 1, 2005 to Dec. 31, 2020, canines killed 568 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 67% (380) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers (51) contributed to 76% (431) of attacks resulting in death. When mastiff-type guard dogs and war dogs are added -- the types used to create "baiting" bull breeds and fighting breeds -- this small group of dog breeds accounts for 84% (477) of all dog bite-related deaths. In discussion notes, we examine 2020 trends. Over the summer and fall months we hope to update the combined year study to include the 16 year data set.

Data Collection Method: How We Collect U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Data

Discussion Notes

DogsBite.org - During 2020, new trends arose, including a rise of reported fatal dog attacks without breed data -- despite many of these dogs being taken into custody -- and a rise of unreported fatal dog attacks. Bull breed attacks surged in 2020, as did multi-victim attacks (a new tracking category) and adult males killed by dogs. Multi-dog attacks involving 2 or more dogs fell in 2020, but fatal pack attacks involving 4 or more dogs increased, despite Covid-19 lockdowns.

A single year of dog bite fatalities may or may not indicate new trends. This is in addition to the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced behavior changes upon many Americans. Given the small number of fatal dog maulings in any single year, it's unknown which parts of our 2020 data, if any, can be seen as a reflection of Covid-19. One would expect to see a rise in family dog attacks and a reduction in off-property attacks -- both aspects did occur in 2020, but without any significance.

Unreported Deaths and Breeds

Our nonprofit uncovered 6 fully or initially unreported dog bite fatalities that occurred in 2020. For each of these deaths, we also confirmed the breed of dog involved. Along with discovering 6 deaths with breed data, we obtained breed data in 4 other deaths (case count=10). Of media reported deaths, 5 cases had "total" unreleased breed data. Thus, there was a total of 15 deaths, 33% of all deaths, that otherwise would not have breed data had we not followed up with FOIAs.

Given the high number of fatal dog attacks with no breed data in 2020, we analyzed the characteristics of them (case count=9) to see if there were commonalities. There were, primarily, adult females killed in pack attacks. We also examined the characteristics of unreported fatal attacks from 2005 to 2020 (case count=18) that we have uncovered in FOIAs over the last decade. There were commonalities in this data too, including all deaths involving bull breeds.

Characteristics of Reported Fatal Attacks with No Breed Data in 2020

Total case count = 9
The most likely fatal dog attack with no breed data reported in 2020 involved a female ≥ 36 years old killed by a pack of 4 or more dogs (6 of 9 cases), likely involving pit bulls, and largely occurred in the Southern United States in a rural area.
Of the 6 fatal pack attacks, 100% of victims were females ≥ 36 years old and after research and FOIA requests, 50% of these cases (3 of 6) involved pit bulls. Most attacks occurred in the Southern United States, 67% (4 of 6), and in rural areas, 67%.
The 3 other cases include: 1 infant killed by a dog in military housing in Hawaii, 1 teenager killed by 2 or more dogs in rural Kentucky and 1 senior citizen killed by a family pit bull in Florida whose owner had four adult pit bulls in the household and nine pit bull puppies.
Of the 568 people killed by dogs since 2005, only 15% involved a pack of 4 or more dogs. Under the conditions of this small subset, pack attacks weighed in at 67%.

Characteristics of Unreported Fatal Dog Attacks (2005 to 2020)

Total case count = 18
The most likely unreported fatal dog attack from 2005 to 2020 is an adult ≥ 40 years old killed by a single or pair of family pit bulls in a city area in an anti-BSL state (a state with a preemption law prohibiting local governments from enacting breed-specific laws).
78% (14 of 18) of victims were ≥ 40 years old. 83% (15) of cases involved pit bulls, and of that 73% (11 of 15) involved a single or pair of family pit bulls attacking.
83% of attacks occurred in a city area (15 of 18) and 67% (12) occurred in anti-BSL states, primarily, California, Florida, Nevada and Texas in our data set (12 of 18).
94% (17) of cases involved 1 or 2 dogs; 89% of cases occurred on the owner's property; and there was a slight predominance of male victims, 56%.

Despite the strange pandemic year of 2020, for over a decade our FOIAs have consistently revealed that pit bull breeds are the most likely to be involved in unreported lethal attacks. These 18 unreported deaths include: pit bulls (involved in 15 deaths), American bulldogs (3) and a bull terrier (1).1 Only two other breeds participated in these attacks, 1 mixed-breed and 1 shepherd-mix. Our data set contains little evidence that fatal attacks by other breeds are going undetected.

Non-Bull Breed Deaths in 2020

2020 marks a year when so many different bull breeds inflicted a fatal attack that we had to use different language in our statistics. "In 2020, the combination of pit bulls (33), additional bull breeds (4)" and "When breed was known, only 3 deaths did not involve bull breed or mastiff-type dogs." Those 3 deaths included a single German shepherd (attributed to 2 deaths) and a single Belgian malinois (1 death). All other deaths involved pit bull breeds and mastiff-type dogs.

These breeds include: pit bulls (involved in 33 deaths), American bulldogs (involved in 2 deaths), mastiff/bullmastiff (involved in 2 deaths), American bully-mix (involved in 1 death), a bull terrier (involved in 1 death) and a cane corso-pit bull mix (involved in 1 death). When breed was known, every single adult victim ≥ 25 years old (24 cases) was killed by one of these pit bull breeds or mastiff-type dogs. During 2020, there were no recorded rottweiler-inflicted dog bite fatalities.

New Tracking Categories

In 2020, we officially began tracking multi-victim fatal dog attacks. 15% (7) of fatal dog attacks involved the dog(s) injuring additional people at the scene. In this category, 71% (5 of 7) of attacks involved injuring 2 or more people beyond the person killed; 86% (6) of attacks required these victims to be treated at a hospital; and 100% of these attacks were carried out by pit bulls (7), of which 86% involved a single or pair of family pit bulls attacking household members.

86% (6 of 7) of attacks resulted in multiple adult victims, ≥ 19 years old; and 1 attack involved 2 adults severely injured while protecting a baby.

In 2020, we also began tracking deviant/habitual behaviors, largely using criteria from Barnes and Boat, 2006 (repeated animal control violations, aggressive crimes, drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, crimes involving children and firearms), and when an "argument" preceded a fatal attack. Notably, over half of the multi-victim attacks, 57% (4 of 7), fell into this category. Overall, 20% (9 of 46) of dog bite fatalities in 2020 fell into this new category. All 9 cases involved pit bulls.

Unlike Barnes and Boat, who examined dog owners within one county in Ohio by primarily accessing databases, there are no national databases. These areas are rarely mentioned in news reports either, unless police release details like, "fourth call to this home in the past five years." So, we have to strongly suspect this deviant behavior, as we did in the case of Benjamin Spence, who has a significant rap sheet. It's far from a perfect system, but the data is too important to ignore.

Rise of Male Deaths in 2020

Since 2018, we have been tracking the increase of adult females ≥ 30 years old killed by dogs, primarily pit bulls. In 2020, we saw a rise in adult males killed by pit bulls. All males ≥ 25 years old killed by dogs in 2020 (12 deaths) were killed by pit bulls, except for 70-year old Frederick Shew, who was killed by his known aggressive mastiff, named "Thor." In fact, 3 male victims, ages 25, 26 and 27 -- all rare ages in fatal dog maulings -- were fatally attacked by pit bulls in 2020.

Stunningly, two of those deaths resulted in the rarest of all criminal charges -- second-degree murder charges for using the dog as a dangerous weapon. This type of charge is so rare, we only know of one other case, the death of Angela "Dolly" Kaplan in 1992. Jeffrey Mann was convicted of murder for holding Kaplan down while his pit bull inflicted over 100 bites to her. In 2018, we wrote to the Ohio Parole Board to ensure Mann stayed in prison. His parole was again denied.

In November, Benjamin Spence was charged with second-degree murder after ordering his pit bulls to attack 26-year old Curtis Wickham. Spence was also charged with assault with a deadly weapon after he threw a TV set at Wickham, nearly hitting his head, while Wickham lay dying on the ground from injuries inflicted by Spence's three pit bulls. Court records show that the plea cut off date for Spence is September 9, 2021. A jury trial is scheduled for October 11, 2021.

Multi-Dog Attacks Fall

Attacks inflicted by multiple dogs fell in 2020 to 43% (20), dropping below the 15-year average of 47%. Multi-dog attacks involving 2 or more pit bulls accounted for 70% (14 of 20) of these attacks. Attacks inflicted by single dogs accounted for 57% (26) of all dog bite fatalities. Notably, pack attacks involving 4 or more dogs accounted for 17% of all deaths, which is slightly above the 15-year average of 14.6%. Despite Covid-19 restrictions, fatal pack attacks did not diminish in 2020.2

The chart depicting 16 years of multi-dog fatal attacks shows a steep plunge in 2018. There may be no rhyme or reason. However, given what is now known about unreported fatalities, there could be undetected fatalities during 2018 and 2020 involving a pair of family pit bulls. We did discover one of those cases already, the death of elderly "Coco" in Florida. Those two family pit bulls viciously attacked three adult family members, hospitalizing all three. Coco did not survive.

Summary

Overall, dog bite fatalities during 2020 were highly dominated by bull breeds and mastiff-type dogs. When breed was known, only 3 deaths tracked did not involve these breeds. Reported fatal dog attacks lacking breed data and unreported fatal dog attacks also characterized the year. Thus far in 2021, the underreporting of fatal dog maulings is also occurring. Reported fatalities are down by 38% this year (Jan 1-May 25, 2021) compared to pre-Covid 2019 (Jan 1-May 25, 2019).

This year, due to the growing number of unreported dog bite fatalities our nonprofit has obtained through FOIAs over the last decade, we were able to identify common characteristics among them. The most likely unreported fatal dog attack from 2005 to 2020 is an adult ≥ 40 years old killed by a single or pair of family pit bulls in a city area in an anti-BSL state, primarily California, Florida, Nevada and Texas in our data set. There was also a slight predominance of male victims.

One can consider these characteristics when reviewing the missing adult cases in the 50-69 age groups we discovered in CDC Wonder database.

Despite adult victims leading fatal dog attacks in our multi-year data set, CDC Wonder data shows that many more adult deaths are undetected by the media. CDC data shows 151 deaths in the 50-69 age groups from 2005 through 2019. Our data shows 96 deaths in this same period. The 70 and older age groups also show more deaths in CDC data (124 v. 91). However, some elderly deaths in CDC data are "struck by dog" deaths, which would be excluded from our data set.3

Download: Comparing 15 Year Data Sets - DogsBite.org Data and CDC Wonder Data

Additional Annual and Combined Year Statistical Graphics (2005 to 2020)

Data Collection Method: How We Collect U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Data

FOIA Requests: Offices we sent FOIAs to during 2020 to uncover unreported fatal dog attacks or to gain additional records about reported deaths: Amarillo Police Department, Texas - North Alamogordo Police Department, New Mexico - Broward County Medical Examiner's Office, Florida - Country Club Hills Police Department, Illinois - District Nine Medical Examiner’s Office, Florida - Eagle Point Police Department, Oregon - Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office, Florida - Jackson County Coroner’s Office, Oregon - Jefferson-Davis Sheriff's Department, Louisiana - Justice of the Peace, Lumberton, Texas - Kentucky State Police - Little River County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas - Loudon County Animal Services, Virginia - Lumberton Police Department, Texas - Lyons Georgia Animal Control, Georgia - Lyons Police Department, Georgia - Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office, Arizona - Miami-Dade Animal Services, Florida - Multnomah County Animal Services, Oregon - Oviedo Police Department, Florida - Pima County Animal Care Center, Arizona - Pima County Medical Examiner's Office, Arizona - Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner Office, California - Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, California - Seiver County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas - Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, Florida - Stockton Animal Services, California - Temecula Animal Control Services, California - Washington County Sheriff's Office, Florida - Washington County Animal Control, Florida.

1Three of these 18 attacks involved multiple dog breeds, thus creating a death count total of 21 rather than 18.
2As we were preparing this report, the 24th Navajo Nation Council issued a release on May 27, 2021 saying that three people were killed by dogs on the Nation over the last year. This data has not yet been added to our 16 year data set, nor do we currently know the dates or details of those fatal attacks. However, all three attacks were likely pack attacks. Meaning that the occurrence of fatal pack attacks during the pandemic was even more pronounced.
3We have recorded 8 "struck by dogs" deaths since 2005, which are not included in our data set.

Recent multi-year reports:

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Colleen Lynn

2021 Dog Bite Fatality: New Mexico Dog Owner Charged with Tampering with Evidence After His Dogs Killed a Man

Dominic Ribera was charged with tampering with evidence after his dogs killed a man.

New Details Released
UPDATE 06/03/21: Additional details have been released about the May 24 mauling death of a man in Veguita. Dominic Ribera was arrested and charged with multiple felonies after the vicious attack. El Defensor Chieftain reports that four adult dogs were involved in the attack, including one shot by deputies when they arrived at the scene. Six puppies were also seized from Ribera's property. Blood samples were taken from the fur of the adult dogs and placed into evidence.

The criminal complaint states that while Lt. Richard Lopez and the county's animal control officer were at the scene, Lopez saw Ribera place wooden objects against part of his fence, covering a hole where dog tracks could be seen. It appeared the dogs were using the hole to escape the yard, the complaint states. One of the dogs taken into custody had recently bitten a neighbor. Another of Ribera's dogs had to be killed recently by a neighbor after it attacked his animals.

The Albuquerque Journal identified the victim as 53-year old Jose Ortega. He was discovered face-down near some chamisa bushes. He had been dead for several hours. There was a pack of aggressive dogs nearby -- some had blood on their faces. Lopez shot and killed one of the dogs and an animal control officer pepper sprayed several others, as the two men tried to round up the animals. All 10 dogs taken into custody at the scene were pit bull-mixes, reports the Journal.

Other details of the investigation were outlined in court documents, including statements from Ortega's niece, Leslie Martinez. "I knew his dogs were vicious, we all knew that something was going to happen," Martinez said. She said her uncle had gone to water the plants at the home of Ribera’s neighbor when the attack happened. "He couldn’t fight the dogs off, he wasn’t strong enough," Martinez said. She said Ortega was disabled and had a number of health issues.

05/30/21: Man Killed by Dogs
Socorro County, NM - In another fatal dog attack, where police did not issue a press release after the attack, deputies found an adult male dead with torn clothing and bite marks on May 24. The owner of the dogs, Dominic Ribera, told deputies he went outside after he heard his dogs making noises, reports KOB-TV. Once he got outside, he discovered a man lying on the ground. Ribera was going to attempt CPR on the man, but after poking him with a stick realized he was dead.

Ribera has been charged with possession of a dangerous dog, failure to report a death, and tampering with evidence, according to authorities.

According to court documents obtained by KOB-TV, Ribera discovered the victim at 11:00 am, but waited three hours before contacting the police. The victim's niece, Leslie Martinez, told deputies that neighbors have contacted law enforcement about Ribera's dogs multiple times and even confronted Ribera about keeping his dogs secured, which he refused to do. Deputies seized 10 dogs from Ribera's property, including a pit bull-mix that deputies shot when they arrived.

Felony Tampering Cases

In the past two years, there have been at least two fatal pit bull attacks where felony tampering charges were brought afterward. The most recent was the death of 9-year old Robby Taylor in Arkansas. Trey Wyatt was charged with felony tampering with physical evidence and numerous other charges in connection to his death. In 2019, Daniel Alexander was charged with felony tampering with physical evidence at the scene after three pit bulls killed 46-year old Brian Butler.

Court filings indicate that on May 24, Ribera was charged with a third degree felony for the possession of a dangerous dog and the death of a person. (This statute is located on our Felony Dog Attack Laws page). He was also charged with a fourth degree felony for tampering with evidence and a misdemeanor for failure to report a violent death. The preliminary examination is scheduled for June 23, 2021. Court records indicate Ribera has a history of low-level offenses.

According to a KRQE report, the tampering with evidence charge is the result of Ribera trying to cover up this hole in his fence while the scene was being investigated by authorities.

Baseline reporting requirements:
Law enforcement departments across the United States should release consistent "baseline" information to the media and the public after each fatal dog mauling, including these items.

Posted on May 26, 2021 by Colleen Lynn

2021 Dog Bite Fatality: Boy, 4, Killed by His Grandparents Two Rottweilers in Jefferson County, Montana

Elliot Sherman, 4-years old, was killed by his grandparent's two rottweilers on May 9.

Cause of Death
UPDATE 05/28/21: More information has been released about a 4-year old boy that was killed by his grandparents' two rottweilers on May 9 near Whitehall. The boy left his grandparents, who were outside the home, to go inside the home, reports KRTV. After 45 minutes, his grandparents went to check on him and found him badly injured by the dogs. The grandparents started CPR on the child. After the sheriff and EMS arrived, Elliot Sherwin was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The cause of death is numerous puncture wounds and lacerations to his arms, legs, torso area." - Jefferson County Sheriff Craig Doolittle

Elliot's grandparents had recently gained custody of the boy, and moved to the area from Washington state, reports KRTV. The boy had grown up with the rottweilers since they were puppies. There were no indications or reports the dogs showed viciousness in the past. Both dogs were euthanized. The cause of death was ruled an accident. The grandfather's Facebook page still shows the pair of rottweilers. No other information has been released by authorities.

05/26/21: Rottweilers Kill Boy
Whitehall, MT - In the wake of a pair of family rottweilers killing a baby in North Carolina, the Montana Standard reports that two dogs killed a 4-year old boy in early May. Jefferson County Sheriff Craig Doolittle confirmed the boy's death Wednesday. The case continues to be under investigation and autopsy results haven't been finalized. The deadly attack occurred at the boy's grandparents' home on Cedar Crest Road on May 9. Doolittle identified the boy as Elliott Sherwin.

The boy was pronounced dead at the scene, Doolittle said. "There was an ambulance called there from Jefferson Valley EMS, Life Flight was called and the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene," Doolittle said. The two dogs, believed to be rottweilers, were euthanized after the attack, Doolittle said. Deputy County Attorney Andrew Paul told The Standard his office could not comment on an ongoing investigation and that no legal proceedings had been initiated.

Fatal Rottweiler Attacks

There were no recorded fatal rottweiler attacks in 2020. There were four fatal rottweiler attacks recorded in 2019. In California, 2-year old Jaysiah Chavez was killed by two roaming rottweilers. In Nevada, 15-month old Kyna DeShane was killed by a rottweiler while visiting her grandfather's home. In Tennessee, 19-year old Adrieanna O'Shea was killed by a pack of dogs involving a rottweiler-mix. In Kentucky, 3-year old Steven Thornton was killed by two family rottweilers.

The delay in reporting this Montana attack comes during a period where we have seen a sharp decline in media reports of fatal dog maulings. During 2020, we saw a 45% decrease in media reports compared to 2019. Of the 46 persons killed by dogs in 2020, nearly one-quarter, 22%, lacked an official news release as well. This situation has continued in 2021. This year, reported fatalities are down 35% compared to a similar pre-Covid period (January 1 to May 26, 2019).

The two rottweilers seen on the boy's grandfather's Facebook page on April 10, 2020.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: U.S. Fatal Rottweiler Attacks By State

Posted on May 26, 2021 by Colleen Lynn

2021 Dog Bite Fatality: Pair of Family Rottweilers Kill Baby in Johnston County, North Carolina

The Baby's Parents Work in Law Enforcement and EMS

Malia Scott Winberry, 10-months old, was killed by a pair of family rottweilers.

Rottweilers Kill Baby
Angier, NC - A 10-month old baby girl died Tuesday after being attacked by a pair of family rottweilers. Johnston County deputies responded to a home on Riparian Court in Willow Spring about 8:00 pm. When deputies arrived, the baby was unresponsive. Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell said the baby's father stepped outside briefly and was speaking to a neighbor when he heard a commotion inside. He went back inside to find the rottweilers attacking the baby.

"Bizzell said the father is a law enforcement officer in Wake County, and the mother works for Johnston County’s EMS." - Multiple news reports

Other details released by police include, "an investigation determined the father, who is a law enforcement officer, had briefly left the baby unattended in the home to go outside and move a sprinkler in the yard. He heard a commotion and when he went back inside, the girl had been attacked by the family's dogs," as reported by WTVD News. These are similar circumstances to the fatal mauling of a baby in Dallas in 2015 by a family pit bull the mother called a "Big Baby."

This region of North Carolina is known as the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill). Last month, in the adjacent Wake County, a 7-year old girl was killed by two pit bulls. The location of this attack is about 15 miles from the Town of Garner, where Jayden Henderson was killed and her mother was severely injured by two pit bulls they were caring for while their owners were away. The owners of those pit bulls are still fighting to get these dangerous dogs returned to them.

Baby Identified

On Wednesday, police identified the baby as Malia Scott Winberry. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found her father, Scott Winberry, rendering aid to her. "The Sheriff’s Office and EMS responded but were unsuccessful on reviving the child," Johnston County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Danny Johnson said. "It’s a bad scene," he said during a Tuesday press conference. This is "very hard in us all because we all have children. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family."

A spokeswoman for Johnston County Emergency Services, where the mother of the child works, Bianca Patel, said they were "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Malia," and was "offering support services to the family." Both dogs were taken into custody by Johnston County Animal Services. The director, Chad Massengill, confirmed the dogs have been declared dangerous by the county. "It's very solemn around here this morning," he said. "It's very difficult to deal with."

A 2019 Facebook post by Patel shows that the rottweilers had escaped the family's yard in the past. Presumably, Abbi and Joker are the two rottweilers. "Joker," the dog wearing the red collar, "likes to dig," Patel stated. "There is an electric fence but it was not plugged in at the time," Patel wrote. Both rottweilers are "fixed" and "with papers," according to the post. That did not stop the rottweilers from roaming. Sterilization also plays no role in altering breed-specific behaviors.

"Code Blue" Call

Audio dispatch logs from Johnston County Public Safety reveal the call came in as a "code blue." Recall they are responding to the home of a Johnston County Emergency Services employee. Since the 1980s, rottweilers have been the second top killing dog breed in the U.S. This is why we created the fatal rottweiler attack archive. Rottweilers consistently show just how dangerous they are, particularly to young children. There were no recorded fatal rottweiler attacks in 2020.