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Animal-Related Fatalities in the United States (2018-2023)
Ricky L Langley1, Gregory D Kearney1
1Department of Public Health, East Carolina Heart Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
Environmental Health Insights
|July 21, 2025
Summary
Animal-related deaths in the U.S. are rising, with stinging insects, other mammals, and dogs as leading causes. Increased dog fatalities correlate with the COVID-19 pandemic
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Zoonotic Diseases
Background:
- Animal encounters present significant public health risks, including infectious diseases and non-infectious injuries.
- Zoonotic diseases account for over 60% of human infectious diseases, causing millions of illnesses and deaths globally.
- Non-infectious injuries, such as snakebites, also contribute to substantial mortality worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe fatal animal-related encounters in the United States.
- To assess trends in animal-related fatalities from 2018 to 2023.
- To identify primary causes and demographic factors associated with these deaths.
Main Methods:
- Secondary data analysis of aggregate, population-level data.
- Utilized data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER).
- Analyzed 1604 total animal-related deaths, stratifying by cause, animal type, demographics, and region.
Main Results:
- A total of 1604 animal-related deaths were recorded, averaging 267 annually.
- Leading causes of death included hornets, wasps, and bees (31.0%), other mammals (28.6%), and dogs (26.2%).
- An upward trend in fatalities was observed, with a notable increase in dog-related deaths during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusions:
- Animal-related fatalities are increasing in the U.S., with specific animal groups and demographic factors playing key roles.
- The rise in dog-related deaths may be linked to increased pet adoptions and time spent at home during the pandemic.
- Public health strategies focusing on safe interactions, awareness, and responsible pet ownership are crucial for mitigating fatalities.
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