U.S. Hospitalizations For Dog Bites On The Rise

According to a report recently released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that analyzed data from emergency rooms across the United States, the number of hospital admissions for personal injuries suffered from dog bites has seek a dramatic increase over the past 15 years. The number has seen an increase of 86 percent since 1993.

According to the report, young children and senior citizens are the most likely people to be hospitalized from dog bites.

The report listed the number one reason for hospitalization as infection. Other injuries and complications resulting in hospitalization ranged from open wounds on the extremities and wounds on the head, neck, and body to fractures and blood poisoning.

Residents of rural areas had four times the likelihood of visiting the emergency room and three times the likelihood of being admitted than residents of urban areas.

The average cost of a dog bite is more than $18,000 per patient and $54 million overall.