Dogs cemented themselves in our lives generations ago through a type of "survival of the friendliest" strategy. These animals transitioned from the wild to the fireside (and eventually a cozy bed) once they realized that humans make the tastiest trash, according to makers of the 2024 documentary "Inside the Mind of a Dog." But when they feel nervous, afraid, threatened or protective, most any dog is capable of biting. With some dog breeds, those bites have a statistical likelihood of being fatal. The slideshow above illustrates the dog breeds most likely to inflict a fatal bite, according to DogsBite.org, a national nonprofit dedicated to reducing serious dog bites.

Dog bites and insurance

About 4.5 million people a year are bitten by dogs, the American Veterinary Medical Association reports. When does a dog bite become an insurance issue? Dogs are considered personal property, which means a dog owner is liable when their "furbaby" bares its teeth. Legal expenses related to dog bites are generally covered by homeowners' and renters' insurance policies. However, there are coverage limits to this type of claim, and once that limit is surpassed, that dog's person is on the hook for the remaining costs. Here are some additional statistics regarding dog bite claims, compiled by the Insurance Information Institute:

• Liability claims related to dog bites and other dog-related injuries cost homeowners insurers $1,116 million in in 2023, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and State Farm®.
• The number of dog bite claims nationwide increased in 2023 to 19,062 from 17,597 in 2022— an 8.3% increase, according to an analysis of homeowners insurance claims data by the Triple-I.
• The average cost per claim decreased 9.3 percent in 2023 to $58,545 from $64,555 in 2022. The average cost per claim nationally has risen 82.5% from 2014 to 2023, due to increased medical costs as well as the size of settlements, judgments and jury awards given to plaintiffs, which are trending upwards.

The good news is that less than 1% of dog bites are fatal. What's more, dog owners wield significant power when it comes to preventing bites. Heed this advice from the American Kennel Club to prevent dog bites: "A key way to help prevent dog bites is to remember that dogs are individuals. Not every dog is going to be comfortable in every situation. As a dog owner, it's important to be aware of your dog's comfort in different situations. Help your dog be successful by proactively removing your dog from the stressful or overstimulating situation before your dog might feel a need to escalate to biting." See also: