Our dogs are part of our families. They greet us when we come home, keep us company, make us laugh, and, for many of us, are simply another member of the household. But new research about dog bites and dog-related injuries is a reminder that responsible pet ownership also means understanding the risks and taking steps to protect our families, our neighbors, visitors, delivery drivers, and our pets.
According to research published by Sweet James in July 2026, dog-related injury claims continue to be a significant issue across the United States. The research draws on information from insurance claims, federal health data, workplace injury records and state laws.
Dog-Related Insurance Claims Reached $1.86 Billion in 2025– The Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), using data from State Farm, reports that homeowners insurers paid approximately $1.862 billion for dog-related injury claims in 2025.
There were 28,450 dog-bite and related injury claims in 2025, compared with 22,658 in 2024—a 25.6% increase in one year. The average cost per claim was $65,450 in 2025. While that was lower than the 2024 average of $69,272, the average cost has risen substantially over the longer term. Triple-I reports a 97% increase in average claim cost from 2016 through 2025. Those numbers are about more than insurance companies. A serious dog bite can mean medical treatment, missed work, emotional distress and a long recovery for the person who was injured.
Texas Families Have a Reason to Pay Attention– Here in Texas, the numbers are especially worth noticing.
Texas had 1,313 dog-related homeowners insurance claims in 2025, according to Triple-I and State Farm data. The average cost per claim was $70,885, with total claims accounting for approximately $93 million. Texas also ranked second among states for reported dog attacks on Postal Service employees in 2025, with 358 incidents. Only California had more, with 673.
And for those of us in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, there’s another statistic worth noting: Dallas recorded 50 reported attacks on postal workers in 2025, placing it second among the cities listed by USPS. That doesn’t mean our dogs are dangerous. It does mean that dog owners have a responsibility to think about what can happen when someone enters our property—especially someone our dog doesn’t know.
Protecting Mail Carriers and Delivery Drivers One of the easiest places to start is at the front door. The U.S. Postal Service reported just over 5,200 dog attacks involving postal employees nationwide in 2025. USPS says preventing these incidents requires cooperation between carriers and customers.
USPS recommends putting dogs in a separate room and closing the door before opening the front door when a carrier is delivering mail or packages. That is particularly important because dogs can unexpectedly push through screen doors, windows or open doors. A dog doesn’t have to be considered aggressive for an accident to happen. A normally friendly dog can become protective of its home, excited by a delivery person or startled by someone approaching the house.
Children and Dogs: Supervision Matters– Children and dogs can have wonderful relationships, but children should still be taught how to interact safely with animals.
Parents can teach children:
- Never approach an unfamiliar dog without permission from the owner.
- Don’t bother a dog while it is eating or sleeping.
- Don’t pull a dog’s ears, tail or fur.
- Don’t climb on or ride a dog.
- Don’t take toys, food or treats away from a dog.
- Give a dog space when it is trying to get away.
- Never assume that because a dog is friendly with your family, it will react the same way to everyone.
- Always tell an adult if a dog makes them uncomfortable.
Young children should be supervised around dogs, even when the dog is a beloved family pet. Teaching children to respect animals isn’t about making them afraid of dogs. It’s about helping them understand that dogs communicate differently than people do.
What Does Texas Law Say About Dangerous Dogs?– Texas has laws addressing dogs that attack people and dogs determined to be dangerous.
Under Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, a “dangerous dog” can include a dog that makes an unprovoked attack causing bodily injury in certain circumstances. Texas law also establishes requirements for owners of dangerous dogs, including registration, restraint and liability insurance or financial responsibility of at least $100,000 in specified circumstances.
Texas law also addresses attacks that cause serious bodily injury or death. Depending on the circumstances, criminal penalties can apply. Local city and county rules may also apply, so anyone dealing with a dog-bite incident or a dangerous-dog designation should check the applicable local requirements and seek qualified legal advice when necessary.
Responsible Dog Ownership Starts Before There Is a Problem– The best time to think about dog-bite prevention is before an incident happens.
Responsible dog ownership can include:
Know your dog’s behavior.– Pay attention to signs of fear, anxiety, stress or aggression, and talk with your veterinarian or a qualified behavior professional if you’re concerned. Keep vaccinations current.– Regular veterinary care is an important part of responsible pet ownership. Use a leash when appropriate.– Don’t assume your dog will behave exactly as expected around every person, dog or situation. Prepare for visitors.– If your dog becomes excited or protective when people arrive, have a plan before opening the door. Protect delivery workers.– Put your dog somewhere secure before answering the door for postal workers and delivery drivers. Teach children animal safety.– Children need to learn that even familiar animals deserve boundaries and respect.
A Dog Bite Can Affect More Than One Person– When we hear about dog bites, it can be easy to think only about the physical injury.
But the effects can extend beyond the initial wound. A serious injury can mean medical bills, missed work, follow-up treatment and emotional distress. It can also affect the dog owner, the injured person’s family and, in some situations, the future of the animal involved.
That’s why prevention matters. Keeping a dog safely contained isn’t simply about protecting the person walking down the sidewalk. It’s also about protecting the dog from a situation that could have serious consequences.
What Can We Do Today? We don’t have to wait for another statistic to remind us about dog safety.
Take a few minutes to walk around your home and look at your pet’s environment. Check the gate. Check the fence. Check the door. Think about what happens when the mail carrier arrives. Think about what happens when someone rings the doorbell. Think about how your children interact with the family dog. And think about what your dog might do if it becomes frightened, excited or protective. A few simple precautions can help protect the people and animals we love.
The Bottom Line– Dogs bring so much joy to our families, and responsible dog ownership doesn’t mean living in fear of our pets. It means understanding them, respecting their boundaries and taking reasonable precautions. The latest research provides plenty of statistics to think about, but perhaps the most useful takeaway for families is a simple one:
Prevention starts at home.= Secure the dog. Teach the children. Watch the doors and gates. Give animals space. And remember that even a beloved family pet needs responsible supervision.
Sources and Further Reading– The dog-bite research discussed in this article was published by Sweet James and draws on multiple data sources, including the Insurance Information Institute, CDC data, AHRQ, USPS and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics information.
The Insurance Information Institute’s 2025 dog-bite liability data reports 28,450 claims and $1.862 billion in total claim costs. The U.S. Postal Service reported more than 5,200 dog attacks involving postal employees in 2025, including 358 in Texas and 50 in Dallas.
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822 contains Texas requirements concerning dangerous dogs and attacks on people.
Greatful Moments received information about the Sweet James research as a media/press opportunity. The research is credited to Sweet James, while additional figures and Texas legal information were checked against the underlying sources cited above.
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