We strive to make financially responsible business decisions so we may respond to our policyholders’ claims now and in the future. At the same time, we fully understand the passion people have for their pets as we’ve experienced the same thing on a personal level. That’s why when the topic of dogs and insurance coverage comes up, it’s not an easy discussion, nor do we take it lightly.
Risk and Insurance
We understand the level of risk associated with owning a dog is based on the dog’s individual history and behavior, not just its breed. Insurance companies, however, must evaluate risk in terms of groups that share similar risk characteristics and for which there’s sufficient history and data. For instance, young drivers with speeding tickets are involved in more car crashes per mile driven than other age groups. While many of these young drivers will never crash or file an insurance claim, it’s nearly impossible to predict which of them won’t behave as group statistics would predict.
Dog Bite Statistics
Let’s look at some statistics*:
- Each year, an estimated 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States.
- Approximately 800,000 people annually seek medical attention after a bite.
- In 2019, children five to nine years old had the highest probability of being attacked by dogs.
- Unneutered male dogs are 6 times more likely to bite people than neutered dogs.
- The average payout in a dog bite claim is $64,555.
- Dog-related injury claims cost more than $1 billion in 2022.
How To Prevent Dog Bites
Select a dog carefully.
Don’t rush the process or be impulsive. Check with a veterinarian for the best fit based on behavior, health, and suitability.
Socialize your dog to ensure it feels at ease around other people and animals.
It’s best to gradually introduce your dog to new people and situations in controlled circumstances.
Pay attention to body language.
Learning to read dog body language is one way to avoid a bad encounter. Sharing and educating this information with children, who are at highest risk of dog bites, will help avoid bites and negative experiences.
Approach unknown dogs with caution.
Make it a rule that your children should ask permission before petting someone’s dog. When petting dogs, don’t pet the top of the head as most dogs don’t like this. Instead, pet under the chin or the side of their body.
Spay and neuter your dogs.
Neutering may lower aggression as dog owners report calmer, more relaxed dogs post-surgery.* Talk to your veterinarian about their recommendations.
Have a fenced yard.
A fenced yard helps keep your family safe by preventing dogs from entering your yard and keeps your dog away from strangers.
Always use a leash.
Never walk your dog off-leash. You may not be aware of all your dog’s triggers so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Keep your dogs healthy.
Ensure they have their required vaccinations. If your dog is in pain from an injury or chronic disease, keep it away from strangers. Dogs in pain may act completely different from their normal behavior.
Train properly.
Check into dog training classes to help curb bad behaviors and teach basic commands. Your local humane society may offer moderately-priced sessions. Avoid games like tug-of-war and wrestling that may cause overstimulation.
Be alert.
Be aware of people’s behavior around your dog and recognize when your dog shows signs of stress, aggression, or being uncomfortable. No one should poke, antagonize, or climb on dogs; pull their ears; or put their face near the face of a dog. Always monitor interactions with young kids and dogs, including your own. Consider waiting until your child(ren) is(are) four years old to get a family dog.
To learn more about West Bend’s dog breed policies, contact your independent insurance agent.
Sources:
*Does Neutering Calm A Dog Down?
**Dog Attack Statistics By Breed 2024
Dog bite prevention | American Veterinary Medical Association (avma.org)
Great resources to learn more:
How To Read Your Dog’s Body Language
Ways You May Be Stressing Out Your Puppy
(Check out the doggie language illustration. This is a great tool to help children learn. Print it out and put it on the refrigerator as a reminder.)
