Illinois Dog Bite Statistics and Laws

Every year, millions of dog bites occur nationwide, resulting in hundreds of thousands of serious injuries requiring medical attention. According to Illinois dog bite statistics, the state ranks eight in the nation for dog bite insurance claims and among the highest for payout amounts.

At Chicago Dog Bite Injury Lawyers, we stand with dog bite victims across Illinois. We believe in your case and are here to help you understand your rights under the Illinois Animal Control Act.

How Common Are Dog Bite Incidents?

Dog bite incidents are remarkably frequent. There are 4.5 millionpeople bitten by dogs each year nationwide, and over 800,000 of those bites demand medical attention. About 316,000 victims end up in the emergency room each year due to injuries sustained in dog bites and attacks.

The financial toll has surged: 2024 data shows that insurers backed 22,658 dog bite claims, a jump of nearly 19 percent over 2023, yielding an average payout of 69,272 dollars. Over the last year, dog-related injuries accounted for nearly 1.57 billion dollars in insurance losses across the country. The average claim cost has increased 86.1% from 2015 to 2024.

Illinois is deeply affected by these trends. The state consistently ranks among the highest dog bite payouts. At the same time, urban centers, most notably Chicago, report thousands of incidents.

These figures make clear that injuries from dog bites are neither rare nor remote. They happen in everyday life, often with serious consequences.

How Many Dog Bite Claims Are Filed in Illinois Each Year?

Illinois is one of the leading states in terms of dog bite claims filed annually.

In 2024, insurers recorded 940 claims, paying $61.0 million in total, with an average of $64,941 per claim. Compared to 2023, insurers settled 837 dog bite claims statewide, paying out 61.8 million dollars, an average exceeding 73,000 dollars per claim.

From 2019 through mid-2023, Chicago recorded 5,952 dog bite complaints, including over 1,054 in 2023 alone, with most dog bites clustering in vulnerable neighborhoods on the South and West sides. Across Illinois, many bites occur in residential settings, such as the dog owner’s home or adjacent yards, and even public spaces like dog parks see regular incident reports.

These multi-year figures show steady volume and high stakes. Every year, hundreds of personal injury lawsuits are filed in Illinois over dog bites, many involving medical expenses, reconstructive surgery, long recovery, and emotional distress.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Sustained in Dog Attacks?

Dog bite victims often sustain severe physical harm. Across the U.S.:

• Arm/hand injuries account for 47.3% of bites
• Leg/foot injuries 21.5%
• Head/neck injuries 26.8%
• Trunk 4.4%

The face is a common target, especially in child victims. Puncture wounds, lacerations, nerve and tendon damage, infections, broken bones, and scarring are the most frequent types of injuries.

In more than 27,000 cases per year in America, victims need reconstructive surgery due to dog bites. Even after care, many suffer lingering emotional distress, anxiety, and fear. This shows how serious an attack can be since even a single bite can lead to long-term consequences.

Who Are the Most Common Victims of Dog and Animal Attacks?

The demographics of dog bite victims are clear: Children, especially ages 5–9, bear the highest risk of serious injuries. Many bites in kids are to the head, face, and neck because of their height and defenseless posture.

In adults, the most common targets include postal workers, delivery drivers, visitors to private property, or random passersby. In 2024, Illinois had 344 dog bite claims against USPS postal workers, ranking it 4th among U.S. states. Chicago itself had 57 attacks on postal workers, ranking 3rd among U.S. cities.

In Illinois counties like Cook County, DuPage County, Will County, and others, local animal control reports frequently document dog-related injuries involving family members, neighbors, and workers as well.

What Dog Breed Attacks Most Often?

When it comes to uncovering the most dangerous dog breeds, the data is inconclusive, but some patterns recur: Pit bulls and Rottweilers consistently appear in studies of severe injuries and fatalities.

Over the period of 2005 to 2017, pit bulls alone were implicated in nearly 66% of fatal dog attacks in the U.S. Combining pit bulls and Rottweilers, the same source attributes as much as 76% of all fatal attacks to those two groups.

However, experts warn that breed identification is often unreliable. The American Veterinary Medical Association stresses that breed alone is not a reliable predictor of aggression. Under law, a dog’s breed does not determine liability, and what matters is the dog’s conduct.

So while certain breeds appear more often in headlines, any large dog or dangerous animal can cause serious harm, and any dog owner must be held accountable under law if their dog injures someone.

What Laws Govern Dog Bites in Illinois?

Dog bite liability in Illinois is governed by the Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/). This law makes dog owners strictly liable when their dog bites or attacks someone without provocation, as long as the victim was lawfully present.

In other words, a victim doesn’t have to prove negligence. If the dog’s attack occurred without justification, the owner is responsible for the resulting medical expenses, emotional toll, and other losses.

The Act also outlines procedures for dangerous dog investigations, rabies inoculations, and mandatory reporting of dog bites and other animal attacks to animal control. Cities and counties can add their own safety rules, but Illinois law prohibits breed-specific bans, meaning pit bulls and other breeds are treated equally under the statute.

How Long Do Illinois Victims Have to Take Legal Action If Bitten by a Dog?

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, Illinois law allows victims two years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit and pursue compensation for their injuries and related losses. Missing that deadline can permanently bar recovery.

For children, 735 ILCS 5/13-211 gives additional protection, and the clock doesn’t start until the child turns 18, allowing them until age 20 to take legal action.

These timelines make it crucial to contact experienced dog bite lawyers as soon as possible after an attack happens, ensuring evidence, witness statements, and all reports are preserved to protect your legal rights.

What Damages Can Victims Recover for Dog Bite Injuries in Illinois?

A serious dog bite or attack injury can leave lasting physical, emotional, and financial scars. The law allows victims to pursue full compensation through a civil claim for the harm they’ve suffered.

Common damages recoverable in dog bite lawsuits include:

• Medical expenses: Medical treatment, emergency room visits, surgeries, rabies shots, antibiotics, physical therapy, and future medical care.
• Lost wages & earning capacity: Compensation for time away from work and any long-term reduction in income.
• Pain and suffering: Recovery for physical injuries, emotional trauma, anxiety, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Disfigurement or scarring: Compensation for permanent scars, nerve damage, or reconstructive surgery following severe and painful injuries.
• Property damage: Replacement of clothing, glasses, or other personal items damaged in the attack.
• Punitive damages: Possible when the dog owner’s behavior was reckless, intentional, or grossly negligent, resulting in severely injured people or animals.

How Our Dog Bite Lawyers Can Help

At Dog Bite Injury Lawyer, we help victims across Illinois hold negligent dog owners accountable and recover the compensation they deserve. Our team investigates the attack, gathers animal care and control reports, medical records, and witness statements, and works directly with homeowners’ insurance companies to pursue fair settlements.

We also assist clients with proving the full scope of their damages, covering medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future reconstructive procedure costs. Whether the attack occurred in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, we stand with you through every step of your personal injury claim.

Book a Free Consultation for Your Dog Bite Case in Illinois

If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog in Illinois, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. Our Chicago dog bite lawyers offer a free consultation to review your case, explain your rights, and outline your options under the Illinois Animal Control Act.

Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you’ll never pay any upfront costs. We only receive a fee if and when we successfully recover compensation for you. Contact us today to speak confidentially with an experienced dog bite lawyer and take the first step toward recovery.