LOS ANGELES — About 4.5 million Americans were bitten by dogs in the United States last year, including over 2 million children and 5,581 U.S. Postal Service workers, authorities announced Thursday in an effort to promote dog-bite prevention.
Houston ranked worst in the nation for dog attacks on letter carriers, pushing Los Angeles, last year’s leader, to second place. Here are additional numbers and ways to prevent or avoid dog attacks.
The American Humane Association says two-thirds of child victims are bitten in the head or neck.
Sixty-three letter carriers were bitten in Houston last year; 61 in Los Angeles; 58 in Cleveland; 53 in San Diego; and 47 in Chicago. Sixty-two cities are in the top 30 because of ties. Seven cities came in 30th with 11 bites each.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says there were 26,935 reconstructive procedures in 2013 to repair injuries from dog bites.
The Insurance Information Institute estimates insurers across the country paid out $483 million in dog-bite claims. State Farm paid out $104 million for 3,700 claims. Californians filed 449 claims and were paid $14.7 million; Illinois filed 309 for $8.9 million; Ohio, 221 claims for $4.2 million; Texas, 207 claims for $4 million; and Pennsylvania, 180 claims for $5.8 million.