Michigan Leads US in Dog Bite Insurance Claims; Staten Island Worst NYC Borough
A recent study reveals that Michigan residents face the highest odds of a dog bite insurance claim, while Staten Island has the highest reported bite rate in New York City.
Michigan residents face the highest risk of a dog bite-related insurance claim in the United States, according to a new study. The state recorded 1,432 claims in 2025, with residents having odds of one in 7,073 of being involved in such an incident. This rate is 69% above the national average and more than triple that of Texas.
Across New York City, dog bites saw a significant increase, jumping nearly 25% from 2024 to 2025, with a total of 5,049 reported incidents in the latter year. Staten Island stands out as the city's dog-bite hotspot, experiencing the highest reported bite rate. In 2025, the borough recorded 395 bites, equating to approximately one bite for every 1,261 residents.
Manhattan and Queens reported the highest number of bites, with 1,192 each. However, due to Manhattan's smaller residential population, its bite rate was higher, at one in 1,393 residents, compared to one in 1,944 in Queens. Brooklyn had the lowest bite rate among the boroughs, with 1,126 incidents, or about one bite for every 2,325 residents.
Nationally, Indiana followed Michigan with 824 claims and odds of one in 8,463. Ohio ranked third with 1,348 claims and odds of one in 8,828, followed by Pennsylvania with 1,324 claims and odds of one in 9,864. Illinois reported 1,283 claims, resulting in odds of one in 9,914.
Florida placed sixth with 2,347 claims, but its larger population resulted in odds of one in 9,958. New Jersey had 818 claims and odds of one in 11,673. California, despite recording the highest number of claims at 2,830, ranked eighth due to its vast population, with odds of one in 13,933. Texas secured the tenth spot with 1,313 claims and a one in 23,832 chance of a dog bite insurance claim.
The study analyzed insurance claim data to determine the risk zones. Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, with a victim requiring emergency room treatment every 80 seconds. New York State as a whole recorded 1,308 claims in 2025, with odds of one in 15,189 for residents.