In 2020, State Farm paid nearly $157 million dollars for over 3,185 dog-related injury claims. The highest month for number of claims and amount paid for those claims was March, at the start of the COVID-19 lockdown. Experts fear another disruption—this time cause by the easing of restrictions for activities outside the home—could lead to a spike in dog bite incidents.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week® is April 11-17, 2021. The National Dog Bite Prevention Coalition - State Farm, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Insurance Information Institute (Triple I), American Humane, and dog behavior expert Victoria Stilwell are urging people to take steps to prevent a surge in dog bites as the weather warms, lockdowns ease, and life returns to normal.

As pet owners return to the work place or school, pets will be left home alone. Behavioral issues such as separation anxiety could result in aggressive and destructive behavior. This could be a particular problem for dogs adopted during the pandemic. Many shelters and rescues experienced an increase in pet adoptions and fostering. People were home, feeling lonely, and had time for a new dog. Unfortunately, many of these adopted or fostered dogs have gotten the impression that normal life is quarantine life. Now is the time to get your dog ready for the transition to post-pandemic life.

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Tips for successful dog interactions

Just like humans, dogs are individuals, and every dog has a unique personality. State Farm does not refuse insurance based on the breed of dog someone owns. While a dogs’ breed may dictate how they look, how a dog reacts in a situation isn’t guaranteed by breed or type. It’s important to remember that even well-trained dogs can bite if they are put into the wrong situation.

• Make sure your pet is healthy. Not all illnesses and injuries are obvious, and dogs are more likely to bite if they are sick or in pain. If you don’t have a pet medical insurance policy in place to cover illness or injury, talk to your State Farm agent or go online to learn how a Trupanion policy can help with medical expenses.
• If your dog has only been interacting with your family this past year, don’t rush out into crowded areas or dog parks. Try to expose your dogs to new situations slowly and for short periods of time, arrange for low-stress interactions, and give plenty of praise and rewards for good behavior.
• Gradually start arranging play dates with other dogs and people as allowed, and carefully increase the amounts of time and freedom together. This will help your dog get used to being with other canine companions again.
• Be responsible about approaching other people’s pets. Ask permission from the owner before approaching a dog, and look for signs that the dog wants to interact with you.

Upcoming dog bite prevention webinars - Click images to view details:

State Farm is a member of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week® (April 7-13, 2019) Coalition. The insurer joins the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), and American Humane to draw attention to dog bites and ways to reduce injuries to people and pets. State Farm is also one of the few insurance companies in the country that does not have a breed restriction list and does not exclude homeowner or renter insurance coverage because of the breed of dog owned. Under the right circumstances any dog might bite.

Information from the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition

• American Veterinary Medical Association estimates there are approximately 78 million dogs in U.S. homes and each year 4.5 million people are bitten or injured by dogs. “Even the gentlest dog can bite if they are in pain, feel threatened, or are competing for resources such as food or space,” said Dr. John de Jong, AVMA President. “Not only is it important to understand how dogs behave, it is important to understand how a dog may interpret our behavior.” AVMA’s ‘Jimmy the Dog’ video series lets preschoolers look at how a dog might interpret different scenarios.
• Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) reports that dog bites and other dog-related injuries accounted for nearly one third of all homeowners liability claim dollars paid out in 2018, costing $675 million. An analysis of homeowners insurance data by the I.I.I. found that the number of dog bite claims nationwide decreased to 17,297 in 2018, compared to 18,522 in 2017– a 6.6 percent decrease. The average cost per claim increased by 5.3 percent. The average cost paid out for dog bite claims was $39,017. in 2018, compared with $37,051 in 2017.
• American Humane says that dog bites are a double tragedy affecting both people and animals. “A dog bite can have a devastating effect not only on the victim, but on the dog, who may be euthanized,” says Robin Ganzert, PhD, president and CEO of American Humane. Because of the high risk involving dogs, babies, and children, American Humane offers a free online booklet called Pet Meets Baby that provides families with valuable information on introducing a new child to a home with a dog.

Professional perspective from Dr. Marty Becker and Victoria Stilwell

State Farm believes that educating dog owners about being responsible will help reduce dog-related injuries. The insurance company focuses on educating people and pet professionals about dog body language and safely interacting with dogs by working with two of the most prominent experts in the field of dog training and veterinary medicine; celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell and America’s Veterinarian, Dr. Marty Becker.

“Dogs don’t just bite ‘out of the blue’. Most bites are a perfect storm of situation and circumstance, but because dogs’ physical and vocal language is frequently misinterpreted or signals are missed, people often put themselves or others at risk and dogs are blamed as a result,” says Stilwell. “Education is the only way to reduce dog bite incidents in this country, which is why I am proud to stand alongside State Farm and other members of the coalition, to raise awareness about this issue and to educate people about dog bite prevention.”

“As a society we increasingly consider dogs to be family members and rely on them for unconditional love,” says Dr. Becker. “A clearer understanding of canine behavior and how our own actions can make us safer is essential if we want to continue to benefit from the presence of dogs in our daily lives.”

Tips on being a responsible dog owner

• NEVER leave a baby or small child alone with a dog, even if it is a family pet. Children are often bitten by dogs in their own household.
• Make sure your pet is socialized so it feels at ease around people and other animals.
• Walk and exercise your dog on a leash to keep it healthy and provide mental stimulation.
• Regular veterinary visits are essential to regulating the health of your dog. A sick or injured dog is more likely to bite.
• Be alert. If someone approaches you and your dog, caution them to wait before petting the dog. Give your pet time to be comfortable with the stranger.
• Understand and respond to changes in your dogs’ body language. Look at the eyes, ears, tail, and posture to know when your dog may be happy, fearful, or angry.

Elle is a therapy dog, but that isn’t why she is misunderstood. It is because she is a pit bull. In honor of Pit Bull Awareness Month in October, her story shows the positive qualities of the breed, and the influence a good owner can have on a dog and a community.

Elle and owner Leah Brewer live in Roanoke Rapids, NC. Since 2010 they worked as a team with Therapy Dogs Incorporated visiting nursing homes and schools in their community. The also participate in a reading program called “Tail Wagging Tales” to help students practice reading and strengthen their confidence. Students read to Elle and when they feel ready, they read and make presentations in front of their class.

“Elle was featured in a children’s book called Kiefer and Friends, and all her readers loved reading a story with her as one of the featured dogs,” said Brewer. “Elle doesn’t care if the student is a beginning reader or doesn’t like to read in front of people. She calmly sits by their side with a non-judgmental ear and offers a reassuring paw when need.”

Overcoming Breed Prejudices

When Leah first approached schools about the reading program, she was met with skepticism because Elle was a pit bull. That didn’t stop Leah. She was determined to show that Elle was a wonderful ambassador for a breed of dog that is often misunderstood.

Elle’s training and mission has as much to do with changing perceptions of pit bulls as with anything else. Elle helped a young boy overcome his fear of dogs during the library program, Brewer saw that as a breakthrough.

“At first, he was interested in Elle, but wouldn’t come near her,” Brewer said. “Over the span of a year, he went from that to being able to walk her on those final two sessions.”

Leah and Elle began to change minds by visiting the local retirement home and schools to demonstrate the safe ways children and seniors should interact with dogs. (Sadly, more than half of all dog bite victims in this country are children and senior citizens.)

“I remind the children that even though they know Elle, she is a dog and because of that, they should always ask first before petting her. Many times I have to remind the adults of this too because when they see Elle, they want to hug her. I can tell by Elle’s body language that she isn’t comfortable so I politely remind them about the proper way to approach a dog, even a dog they know.”

People began to notice that even though Elle is a strong dog, she has a strong, responsible and loving owner. Soon, the school was open to the idea of the reading program.

All of the years of hard work in their small pocket of North Carolina didn’t go unnoticed. In 2013, Leah Brewer and Elle the pit bull were honored when Elle was named the 2013 American Hero Dog of the Year at the American Humane Association’s (AHA) Hero Dog Awards. Once misunderstood, Elle is now the “Hometown Hero” in her community.

A new mission: Dog bite prevention

Today Elle is an ambassador for a new message about dog bite prevention and the fact that any dog can bite. Educating the public about responsible dog ownership and how to safely interact with a dog is more important than a dogs’ breed when it comes to reducing dog bite incidents.

To help spread this message and serve as a role model for other dog owners, Leah and Elle were invited to be a part of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition (May 18-24, 2014) by State Farm.

“State Farm met Leah and Elle during the 2013 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards and we knew that they would be great representatives for dog bite prevention,” said Heather Paul, Public Affairs Specialist for State Farm. “Educating children about the proper way to interact with dogs and the importance of being a loving and responsible owner are key to reducing dog bites. Leah and Elle are perfect examples for this message.”