December 2010, Riverside County, CA
Edward Mitchell, 67
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2010, Dillon County, SC
Justin Lane, 25
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2010, Rusk County, TX
Kaden Muckleroy, 2
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2010, Riverside County, CA
Christina Casey, 53
Fatal pit bull-mix attackOctober 2010, Duval County, FL
Justin Valentin, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackOctober 2010, Callaway County, MO
Rev. John Reynolds, 84
Fatal pit bull attackSeptember 2010, McMinn County, TN
Mattie Daugherty, 85
Fatal pit bull attackAugust 2010, Marshall County, IL
Jason Walter, 7
Fatal pack attack involving pit bullsAugust 2010, Calaveras County, CA
Jerry Yates, 69
Fatal pit bull attackAugust 2010, Bibb County, GA
Tracey Payne, 46
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2010, Contra Costa County, CA
Jacob Bisbee, 2
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2010, Shelby County, TN
William Parker, 71
Fatal pit bull attackJune 2010, Lorain County, OH
Michael Winters, 30
Fatal pack attack involving pit bullsJune 2010, Howard County, IN
Savannah Gragg, 9
Fatal pit bull attackMay 2010, San Bernardino County, CA
Nathan Aguirre, 2
Fatal pit bull attackApril 2010, Pasco County, FL
Thomas Carter Jr., < 1
Fatal pit bull attackMarch 2010, Lee County, SC
Ethel Horton, 65
Fatal pit bull attackFebruary 2010, Rockdale, GA
Infant Doe "Garrett" < 1
Fatal pit bull attackFebruary 2010, Philadelphia County, PA
Christine Staab, 37
Fatal pit bull attackFebruary 2010, Hinds County, MS
Anastasia Bingham, 5
Fatal pit bull attackJanuary 2010, Cook County, IL
Johnny Wilson, 56
Fatal pit bull attackJanuary 2010, San Bernardino County, CA
Omar Martinez, 3
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 2009, Monroe County, WV
Lowell Bowden, 70
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2009, Clay County, IL
Rosie Humphreys, 85
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2009, Union County, MS
Destiny Knox, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackOctober 2009, Nevada County, AR
Matthew Hurt, 2
Fatal pit bull attackOctober 2009, Merced County, CA
Colten Smith, < 2
Fatal pit bull-mix attackSeptember 2009, Orange County, VA
Jasmine Deane, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackAugust 2009, Hardy County, WV
Justin Kummer, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackAugust 2009, Loudoun County, VA
Carter Delaney, 20
Fatal pit bull attackJune 2009, Williamson County, IL
Gabrial Mandrell-Sauerhage, 3
Fatal dog attack involving pit bull(s)June 2009, Rusk County, TX
Justin Clinton, 10
Fatal pit bull-mix attackApril 2009, Macomb County, MI
Leonard Lovejoy Jr., < 1
Fatal pit bull attackMarch 2009, Bexar County, TX
Izaiah Cox, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackMarch 2009, Caldwell County, TX
Tyson Miller, 2
Fatal pit bull attackJanuary 2009, Thomas County, GA
Cheyenne Peppers, 5
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 2008, Riverside County, CA
Gerald Adelmund, 60
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2008, Clark County, NV
Alexander Adams, 2
Fatal pit bull attackOctober 2008, Delaware County, IN
Chester Jordan, 62
Fatal pit bull attackOctober 2008, Honolulu County, HI
Iokepa Liptak, < 1
Fatal pit bull-mix attackSeptember 2008, Ventura County, CA
Katya Todesco, 5
Fatal pit bull attackSeptember 2008, Clark County, NV
Cenedi Kia Carey, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackSeptember 2008, Evangeline Parish, LA
Luna McDaniel, 83
Fatal pit bull attackAugust 2008, Richmond County, NY
Henry Piotrowski, 90
Fatal pit bull attackAugust 2008, Anchorage, AK
Isis Krieger, 6
Fatal pit bull attackAugust 2008, Wayne County, MI
Robert Howard, 38
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2008, Hinds County, MS
Tony Evans Jr., 3
Fatal pit bull attackJune 2008, Hidalgo County, TX
Pablo Lopez (Hernandez), 5
Fatal pit bull attackMay 2008, Stephens County, TX
Tanner Joshua Monk, 7
Fatal pit bull attackMay 2008, Onslow County, NC
Julian Slack, 3
Fatal pit bull attackFebruary 2008, Wayne County, MI
Melvin Taylor, 57
Fatal pit bull attackJanuary 2008, Beauregard Parish, LA
Kelli Chapman, 24
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 2007, San Bernardino County, CA
Kelly Caldwell, 45
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 2007, Rabun County, GA
Blanche Brodeur, 76
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 2007, Dorchester County, SC
Holden Jernigan, 2
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 2007, Placer County, CA
Cora Lee Suehead, 61
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2007, Knox County, TN
Jennifer Lowe, 21
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2007, Bell County, TX
Seth Lovitt, 11
Fatal pit bull attackOctober 2007, Pontotoc County, OK
Rosalie Bivins, 65
Fatal pack attack involving pit bull(s)October 2007, Clay County, FL
Tina Marie Canterbury, 42
Fatal pit bull attackAugust 2007, Dallas County, TX
Scott Warren, 6
Fatal pit bull attackAugust 2007, Hennepin County, MN
Zachary King Jr, 7
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2007, Steuben County, NY
Saben Jones-Abbott, 6
Fatal pit bull attackJune 2007, Volusia County, FL
Mary Bernal, 63
Fatal pit bull attackMay 2007, Collier County, FL
Carshena Benjamin, 71
Fatal dog attack involving pit bull(s)May 2007, Chatham County, GA
Dandre Fisher, 3
Fatal pit bull attackMay 2007, Shelby County, TN
James Chapple Jr., 59
Fatal pit bull attackMay 2007, Bexar County, TX
Celestino Rangel, 90
Fatal pit bull attackApril 2007, Dorchester County, SC
Brian Palmer, 1
Fatal pit bull attackMarch 2007, Dallas County, TX
Carolina Sotello, 2
Fatal pit bull attackMarch 2007, Galveston County, TX
Pamela Rushing, 50
Fatal pit bull-mix attackFebruary 2007, DeKalb County, GA
Robynn Banks, 2
Fatal dog attack involving pit bull(s)January 2007, Bexar County, TX
Amber Jones, 10
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2006, Harris County, TX
Pedro Rios, 4
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2006, Russell County, AL
Richard Adams, 47
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2006, Bamberg County, SC
Allen Young, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2006, Dillon County, SC
John Matthew Davis, 10
Fatal pit bull-mix attackOctober 2006, Montgomery County, TX
David "Ted" McCurry, 41
Fatal pit bull attackOctober 2006, Rockland County, NY
Jeannine Fusco, 44
Fatal pit bull attackAugust 2006, Dickens County, TX
Frank Baber, 49
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2006, Osceola County, FL
John Brannaman, 81
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2006, Wyandotte County, KS
Jimmie McConnell, 71
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2006, Hidalgo County, TX
Mariah Puga, 3
Fatal dog attack involving pit bull(s)July 2006, Monongalia County, WV
Brandon Coleman, 25
Fatal pit bull attackJune 2006, Newton County, MS
Javlyin Anderson, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackJune 2006, San Bernardino County, CA
Shaun McCafferty, 27
Fatal pit bull attackMay 2006, Calvert County, MD
Raymond Tomco, 77
Fatal pit bull attackMay 2006, Rio Arriba County, NM
Juan Garcia, 53
Fatal pit bull attackApril 2006, Los Angeles County, CA
John Doe, 45 to 50
Fatal pit bull attackMarch 2006, Davie County, NC
Charles Dalton, 52
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 2005, Washington County, OK
Cody Adair, 4
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 2005, Wayne County, MI
Mary Stiles, 91
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2005, Milam County, TX
Lillian Stiles, 76
Fatal pit bull-mix attackNovember 2005, Bexar County, TX
Roberto Aguilera, 64
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2005, Jefferson County, KY
Hulon Barbour, 60
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2005, Jefferson County, KY
Kylee Johnson, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2005, Los Angeles County, CA
Mike Gomez, 86
Fatal dog attack involving pit bull(s)October 2005, Suffolk, VA
Jonathan Martin, 2
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2005, Spalding County, GA
Dazavious Williams, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackJune 2005, San Francisco County, CA
Nicholas Faibish, 12
Fatal pit bull attackMay 2005, Cabell County, WV
Arianna Fleeman, 2
Fatal pit bull attackMay 2005, St. Louis, MO
Lorinze Reddings, 42
Fatal pit bull attackApril 2005, Cuyahoga County, OH
Ernie Assad, 82
Fatal dog attack involving pit bull(s)April 2005, Wayne County, MI
Cassidy Jeter, 6
Fatal pit bull attackMarch 2005, Spotsylvania County, VA
Dorothy Sullivan, 82
Fatal pit bull attackFebruary 2005, Chambers County, AL
Barbara Pilkington, 70
Fatal pit bull attackJanuary 2005, Whiteside County, IL
Lydia Chaplin, 14
Fatal pack attack involving pit bullsJanuary 2005, Fresno County, CA
Tyler Babcock, 6
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 2004, Navajo County, AZ
Annilee McKinnon, 5
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 2004, Orange County, FL
Myles Leakes, 4
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 2004, Hancock County, MS
Kamryn Billingsley, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackOctober 2004, Hillsborough County, FL
Anton Brown, 8
Fatal pit bull attackSeptember 2004, Spartanburg County, SC
Isaiah Calandis Smith, < 2
Fatal pit bull-mix attackAugust 2004, Daviess County, KY
Mary DeLacy, 87
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2004, Nacogdoches County, TX
Jordan Lee Parker, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2004, Montgomery County, TX
Infant John Doe, < 1
Fatal pit bull-mix attackJuly 2004, Cook County, GA
Patricia Anderson, 2
Fatal pit bull-mix attackApril 2004, Wayne County, MI
Baby John Doe, 1
Fatal pit bull attackApril 2004, Mecklenburg County, NC
Roddie Dumas, Jr., 8
Fatal pit bull attackJanuary 2004, Harnett County, NC
Nathan Hill, 3
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 2003, Montgomery County, AL
Florence Morris, 78
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 2003, Marion County, FL
Alice Broom, 82
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2003, Elbert County, CO
Jennifer Brooke, 40
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2003, Harris County, TX
Fannie Pharms, 58
Fatal dog attack involving pit bull(s)September 2003, Rabun County, GA
Isaiah Alley, 6
Fatal pit bull attackAugust 2003, Baltimore County, MD
Terry Allen Jr., < 1
Fatal pit bull attackJune 2003, Riverside County, CA
Somer Clugston, 2
Fatal pit bull attackMay 2003, Westchester County, NY
Bonnie Page, 75
Fatal pit bull attackMarch 2003, Pierce County, WA
Tre-Sean Forsman, 3
Fatal pit bull attackFebruary 2003, Hernando County, FL
Alfred Makuc, 72
Fatal pit bull attackJanuary 2003, Cook County, IL
Anna Cieslewicz, 48
Fatal pit bull attackJanuary 2003, Gwinnett County, GA
Flora Lubin, 52
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 2002, Bergen County, NJ
Julia Mazziotto, 80
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2002, Laclede County, MO
Michael Caylan Garner, 5
Fatal pit bull attackAugust 2002, Wapello County, IA
CharLee Shepherd, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2002, Harris County, TX
Dorothy Carter, 52
Fatal pit bull attackApril 2002, New Castle County, DE
Zachary Grant, 2
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 2001, DeKalb County, GA
David Raeford, 40
Fatal heart attack after altercation with pit bullOctober 2001, Pope County, AR
Carolyn Shatswell, 50
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2001, San Joaquin County, CA
James Dehoyos, 2
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2001, Cook County, IL
Alexander Gillis, 77
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJuly 2001, Maricopa County, AZ
Alexandro Caballero Mendoza, 50
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2001, Whitfield County, GA
Mathew Cummings, 2
Fatal pit bull attackJune 2001, Hawaii County, HI
Tyran Moniz-Hilderbrand, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackJune 2001, Washington County, UT
Mike Copeland, 2
Fatal pit bull attackApril 2001, Bristol County, MA
Mackenzie Madera, 5
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 2000, Pima County, AZ
Louis Tenorio, 59
Fatal pit bull attackSeptember 2000, Smith County, TX
Ahleah Austin, 3
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2000, Van Buren County, AR
Johnathan French, 8
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 2000, Lubbock County, TX
Alva Rogers, 82
Fatal pit bull attackJune 2000, Pinellas County, FL
Jasmine Dillashaw, < 1
Fatal attack involving pit bullMay 2000, Alachua County, FL
Quentin Wright, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackApril 2000, San Bernardino County, CA
Cash Carson, 10
Fatal pit bull attackApril 2000, Jefferson Parish, LA
Armini Virgil (Ramani Virgil), 2
Fatal pit bull attackMarch 2000, Clay County, FL
Dallas Isham, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackFebruary 2000, Geauga County, OH
Josiah Holden, 5
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attack
Just after the American bulldog is recognized as a breed in 1999 by the UKC, Ohio includes the American bulldog as a dog "commonly known as a pit bull" under it's statewide pit bull law.December 1999, Fairfield County, SC
John Mickle, 46
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 1999, Pima County, AZ
Joan Encinas, 42
Fatal pit bull attackAugust 1999, Cocke County, TN
Malcolm Morelock, 2
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJuly 1999, Citrus County, FL
Melissa Hunt, 5
Fatal pit bull attackJune 1999, San Diego County, CA
Shalen Darshea Cammon, 3
Fatal pit bull-mix attackFebruary 1999, Marion County, OR
Jesus Gasca, 8
Fatal pit bull-mix attackFebruary 1999, Chatham County, GA
Roger Eugene Dukes, 6
Fatal pit bull attackFebruary 1999, Los Angeles County, CA
Fily Araujo, < 2
Fatal pit bull attack
CDC stops tracking fatal dog attack data by breed.September 1998, Wayne County, MI
Frankie Higginbotham, 44
Fatal pit bull attackJanuary 1998, Rockingham County, NC
Tina Piraino, 9
Fatal pit bull attackOctober 1997, Lubbock County, TX
Aurora Gonzales, 64
Fatal pit bull attackAugust 1997, Washington County, FL
Jonathan Langford, 7
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 1997, Queens County, NY
Salvatore Biagini, 70
Fatal heart attack after altercation with pit bullApril 1997, Barton County, MO
Derrick Brandell, 4
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 1996, Bronx County, NY
Frank Camis, 82
Fatal pit bull attackOctober 1995, Yakima County, WA
Walter Feser, 75
Fatal pit bull attackSeptember 1995, Grand Forks County, ND
Jeffrey Marshall Allen, 7
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 1995, Ventura County, CA
Jessica Hull, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 1994, Los Angeles County, CA
Infant Doe "Garcia," < 1
Fatal pack attack involving pit bullsSeptember 1994, Bronx County, NY
Ana Claudio, 66
Fatal pit bull attackFebruary 1994, Baltimore County, MD
Tevin Williams, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 1993, New London County, CT
Rudolf Minar, 71
Fatal heart attack after altercation with pit bullJuly 1993, Tulare County, CA
Luis Gordo Hernandez, 2
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 1992, Cumberland County, NC
Beulah Owens, 91
Fatal pit bull attackSeptember 1992, Cuyahoga County, OH
Angela "Dolly" Kaplan, 28
Fatal pit bull attackMay 1992, Orange County, FL
Randall Ayers, 2
Fatal pit bull attackFebruary 1992, Anchorage, AK
Robert Coffman, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackFebruary 1992, Kent County, MI
Derrick Goree, 2
Fatal pit bull attackSeptember 1991, Jefferson County, KY
Steven Ray "Rocky" Oerther, 6
Fatal pit bull attackApril 1991, Allen County, IN
Nicholas Alexander Hinton, 2
Fatal pit bull attack and wolf hybridOctober 1990, Collin County, TX
Jessica Cole, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 1990, Cook County, IL
Tionna Kenny, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 1990, Oconee County, SC
Jason Lee Wilson, 5
Fatal pit bull attackJune 1990, Cook County, IL
Kelsey Provo, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackJune 1990, Shelby County, TN
Betty Lou Stidham, 57
Fatal pit bull attackApril 1990, Gwinnett County, GA
James C. Mills, 81
Fatal pit bull-mix attackFebruary 1990, Shelby County, TN
Lillian Butler, 72
Fatal pit bull attackJanuary 1990, Los Angeles County, CA
Lilly Marjee, 70
Fatal pit bull attack
(1989 to 1991) California, Florida and Texas enact statewide anti-BSL laws.November 1989, Humboldt County, CA
Garrett East, 1
Fatal pit bull attackOctober 1989, Duval County, FL
Frances Fletcher, 73
Fatal pit bull-mix attack
Denver County, Colorado enacts pit bull ban.May 1989, Brazoria County, TX
Dustin Webb, 3
Fatal pit bull attack
Miami-Dade County, Florida enacts pit bull ban.December 1988, Stark County, OH
Amber Haverstock, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 1988, Kane County, IL
Kevin Cull, 25
Fatal pit bull attackOctober 1988, Comanche County, OK
Doyce Fielder III, 7
Fatal pit bull attackMarch 1988, DeKalb County, GA
Chatt (Chett) Hyder, 2
Fatal pit bull attackFebruary 1988, Bibb County, AL
Will Smith, 82
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 1987, Wayne County, MI
Brian Lillis, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 1987, Galveston County, TX
Johannes Wilkins, 83
Fatal pit bull attackSeptember 1987, Franklin County, OH
Shannon Tucker, 2
Fatal dog attack involving pit bull(s)July 1987, Monroe County, NY
Robert Barbarita, 29
Fatal pit bull attackJune 1987, Santa Clara County, CA
James Soto, 2
Fatal pit bull attack
State of Ohio enacts pit bull law.April 1987, Montgomery County, OH
Dr. William G. Eckman, 67
Fatal pit bull attackApril 1987, Oklahoma County, OK
Melissa Larabee, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackJanuary 1987, Cuyahoga County, OH
Woodie Mitchell, 83
Fatal pit bull attackNovember 1986, DeKalb County, GA
Billy Gordon Jr., 4
Fatal pit bull attackOctober 1986, Denver County, CO
Fernando Salazar, 3
Fatal pit bull attack
Cincinnati, Ohio enacts pit bull ban.September 1986, Dallas County, TX
Sarah Faye DeMos, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackJune 1986, Gogebic County, MI
Kyle Corullo, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackApril 1986, Volusia County, FL
Aaron Hutchings, 79
Fatal heart attack after altercation involving pit bullApril 1986, Pike County, GA
Renee Smith, 8
Fatal pit bull attackApril 1986, Multnomah County, OR
Christopher Dickey, 5
Fatal pit bull attackFebruary 1986, Gregg County, TX
Steven Mark Fiengo Jr., 6
Fatal pit bull attack
South Miami, Florida enacts pit bull law.October 1985, Clackamas County, OR
Jessica Sue Huhn, 4
Fatal pit bull attackSeptember 1985, Baltimore County, MD
Rebecca Puckett, 57
Fatal pit bull attackMarch 1985, Cobb County, GA
Eckhard Borchardt, 6
Fatal pit bull attackFebruary 1985, Maricopa County, AZ
Deborah Pernell, 33
Fatal pit bull attackMarch 1985, Mecklenburg County, NC
James Shirley, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackDecember 1984, Broward County, FL
Daniel Lloyd Smith, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackOctober 1984, New York County, NY
Coral Robinson, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackSeptember 1984, Knoxville County, TN
Douglas Edward Waddell Jr., < 2
Fatal pit bull attackApril 1984, Travis County, TX
Jacob Hoffer, 6
Fatal dog attack involving pit bull(s)February 1984, Montgomery County, TX
James Miller, 4
Fatal pit bull attackVillage of Tijeras, New Mexico enacts pit bull ban.December 1983, Coffee County, AL
Emma Grace Oliver, 64
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackOctober 1983, Harper County, KS
Grace Parsons, 67
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 1983, Athens-Clarke County, GA
Jennifer Rasper, 7
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 1983, Los Angeles County, CA
Sara Lynn Delance, 5
Fatal pit bull attackJune 1983, Hamilton County, OH
Marcellus Hampton, 11
Fatal pit bull attackMarch 1983, Cherokee County, NC
Ruby Smith, 79
Fatal pit bull attackJanuary 1983, County Unknown, IL
Heather Harton, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackOctober 1982, Cuyahoga County, OH
Crystal Rose White, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackJune 1982, San Diego County, CA
George De Martini, 68
Fatal pit bull attackMay 1982, Elmore County, AL
Angela Jones, 7
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackDecember 1981, San Bernardino County, CA
Sheldon Smith, 47
Died four days after pit bull attack due to blood poisoningAugust 1981, Cameron County, TX
Jason Cabe, 5
Fatal pit bull attack1981, Honolulu County, HI
John Doe, 6
Fatal pit bull attackApril 1981, Hockley County, TX
Kelly Brown, 2
Fatal pit bull attack
Topeka, Kansas enacts pit bull law.November 1980, Bibb County, GA
Charles Vance Coleman, 11
Fatal pit bull attackFebruary 1980, Los Angeles County, CA
Norman Ben Jr., 3
Fatal pit bull attack
Hollywood, Florida enacts first modern pit bull law.1979 to 1982, SC
Toddler John Doe, 3
Fatal pit bull attackSeptember 1979, Maricopa County, AZ
Lillian Whitehead, 6
Fatal pit bull attack
1975 to 1979 marks the leakage period, when pit bulls leaked into the general population and their breeding numbers surged.December 1978, Brevard County, FL
Glen David Phelps, 3
Fatal pit bull attackMay 1977, Riverside County, CA
Mathew Cochran, < 1
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 1976, Alameda County, CA
Michael McNair, 5
Fatal pit bull attackMay 1976, Fresno County, CA
Misty Lee, 6
Fatal pit bull attack
Prior to the 1970's, pit bulls were often called pit dogs, pit bulldogs, bull terriers and bulldogs. Even today, pit bulls are called "bulldogs."September 1965, Dallas County, TX
Mark Paul Dale, 2
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackApril 1965, Salt Lake County, UT
David Carr Hackwell, 5
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMay 1951, Wayne County, IL
Fred William Mills, 3
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackFebruary 1951, Bell County, TX
Mary De La Pena, 3
Fatal pit bull attackJuly 1947, Bronx County, NY
Stanley Balaban, 11
Fatal bull terrier (pit bull-type) attackFebruary 1945, Los Angeles County, CA
Marguerite Theresa Derdenger, < 2
Fatal pit bull attackMay 1945, Dade County, FL
Doretta Zinke, 39
Fatal pit bull attackJune 1942, Columbus County, NC
Vernel Jacobs, 17-months
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMay 1940, Winkler County, TX
Raleigh Leroy Henderson, 3
Fatal pit bull attackMay 1939, Hendricks County, IN
Charles Lyons, Jr., 3
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackDecember 1937, Wichita County, TX
L. G. Brown, 71
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attack
In 1935, the American Kennel Club (AKC) began recognizing the pit bull breed, but only under name "Staffordshire Terrier."March 1934, Worcester County, MA
Eunice Dean, 4
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMay 1931, Cook County, IL
Mary Loretta Watson, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackFebruary 1928, El Paso County, TX
Emily Kienle, 4
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJuly 1924, El Paso County, TX
Salvador Raminez, Adult
Fatal pack attack involving bulldog(s) (pit bull-type)February 1924, Jewell County, KS
Letha Sanders, Child
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackDecember 1921, Orleans Parish, LA
Anthony Vento, 3
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackAugust 1919, Warren County, MS
John Doe, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attack
(Above) First documented instance of a bulldog used to savage an African American man to death in a violent race clash - Vicksburg, Mississippi.September 1917, Orleans Parish, LA
John T. Michel, Jr., 4
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackAugust 1917, Bronx County, NY
Ralph Perotta (John Potta), 9
Fatal bull terrier (pit bull-type) attackSeptember 1916, Johnston County, OK
Jane Doe, 8
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackDecember 1912, Jefferson County, AL
Jasper Goff, 5
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackNovember 1912, New York City (Harlem)
Harry Pecher, 11
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJune 1912, Cook County, IL
Ignatz Obolhusky, < 1
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attack
By August 1911, Ogden enacted a pit "bulldog" ordinance. The dogs are known as a menace. Also, there is a public call to ban pit "bulldogs" in the District of Columbia after a series of attacks.May 1911, Jefferson County, IL
John Doe "Yearwood," 4
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMay 1910, Cook County, IL
Mary Ryan, 72
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMarch 1910, New York County, NY
Bernard Romm, 10
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackDecember 1909, New York County, NY
Carl Limpert, Adult
Fatal bull terrier (pit bull-type) attackNovember 1909, New York County, NY
John Eldice, < 2
Fatal bull terrier (pit bull-type) attackOctober 1909, Lake County, OH
Floyd Brewer, 14
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackAugust 1909, Kings County, NY
Freida Sness, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackFebruary 1909, Letcher County, KY
Harrison Banks, Jr., Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackFebruary 1909, Essex County, MA
Bert Colby Leadbetter, 2
Fatal pit bull attackJune 1908, Franklin County, OH
Martha Ridgely, 68
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJune 1908, Baltimore County, MD
George Davis, 30
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMarch 1908, Hamilton County, OH
Infant Doe, < 1
Fatal bull terrier (pit bull-type) attackSeptember 1907, Philadelphia County, PA
Jefferson Norris, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJuly 1907, Logan County, OK
Baby "Doe" Manning, 2
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackFebruary 1907, Plymouth County, MA
Margaret Goss, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackFebruary 1907, Philadelphia County, PA
Lena Smith, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackDecember 1906, Montgomery County, IN
Nancy Wallace, 90
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackNovember 1906, Kanawha County, WV
Abe Bord, Child
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMay 1906, Lamar County, TX
Mrs. James Crow, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJune 1905, Cook County, IL
Yvonne Davis, < 2
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackApril 1904, Cuyahoga County, OH
Arthur Buss, 3
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMay 1902, Elkhart County, IN
"John" Forrey, 5
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJanuary 1902, Westchester County, NY
Mary Kelly, 5
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackSeptember 1901, Mercer County, PA
Mabel Mahon, 6
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackSeptember 1900, Jefferson County, KY
Infant Doe "Johnston," < 1
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attack
In April 1898, pit bull fancier Chauncey Z. Bennett formed the United Kennel Club (UKC), the first club to recognize the pit bull breed. Bennett wrote the rules and regulations governing recognized dog fight matches to bring "organization" to the blood sport.June 1900, Cook County, IL
Hans Uzenberger, 6
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackApril 1899, Kansas City, MO
Annie Jackson, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMarch 1899, Vanderburgh County, IN
Jane Doe "Fitzwilliams," 3
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMay 1898, Black Hawk County, IA
Jeanette Ireland, 40
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackDecember 1897, Ashtabula County, OH
Clifford Squires, 6
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMay 1897, New York County, NY
George Kraus, 8
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMarch 1897, Cook County, IL
Cark Erickson, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMarch 1897, Schuylkill County, PA
Joseph Davis (Hoepstine), 7
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackNovember 1896, Rensselaer County, NY
James Waker, 5
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJune 1896, Albemarie County, VA
Johnnie Martin, 11
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJune 1896, Racine County, WI
Harry Acklam, 7
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attack
By August 1896, Sacramento enacted a pit "bulldog" ordinance. The dogs are known as savage. Also, there is a public call to ban pit "bulldogs" in the City of Chicago after a series of attacks.February 1896, Bergen County, NJ
Maggie Gorman, 6
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attack
First documented home invasion attack.May 1894, Mercer County, KY
Mary Brand, 16
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJuly 1893, Atlantic County, NJ
Infant Doe
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJune 1893, Winnebago County, IA
"Farmer" Riley, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackFebruary 1892, Essex County, NJ
Annie Kent, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackDecember 1891, Montgomery County, IN
James Lee, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackOctober 1891, Warren County, IN
Mary Glendenning, 35
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMay 1891, Madison County, OH
"John" McClimans, 5
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackApril 1891, Los Angeles County, CA
Don Shorb, 7
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackApril 1891, Dubuque County, IA
John Doe "Meyer," 10
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMarch 1891, Berks County, PA
"Birdie" Miller, Child
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackSeptember 1889, Racine County, WI
Joseph Hurtzen, 9
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJuly 1889, Hamilton County, OH
John Pumphrey, 73
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMay 1889, Elkhart County, IN
Baby Jane Doe, 2
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMay 1889, Licking County, OH
John Doe, 6
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackNovember 1888, Lake County, IN
"Jane" Westfield, 13
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackOctober 1888, Cumberland/Franklin Counties, PA
Isaac Lifter, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJanuary 1888, Hancock County, OH
Charley Joy, 9
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJuly 1887, Des Moines County, IA
Clarence Leipart, Child
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMarch 1887, New Haven County, CT
Baby Doe "Sweeney," 3
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackOctober 1886, Cook County, IL
William Klinkhammer, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackAugust 1886, Allegheny County, PA
Florence Atchison, 6
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackFebruary 1886, Augusta-Richmond County, GA
Jimmy Gallagher, Child
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMarch 1886, Cook County, IL
Georgie Johnson, 5
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackSeptember 1885, Greene County, OH
Jane Doe "Parsons," 4
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJuly 1885, Lehigh County, PA
Infant Doe "Beining," < 1
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackSeptember 1884, Kings County, NY
Willie Maher, 9
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackSeptember 1884, Alamance County, NC
Mary Foust, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJuly 1883, Ohio County, WV
Frederick Multe, Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMay 1882, Miami County, OH
Belle Hoover, adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackNovember 1881, New Castle County, DE
Frank Fox, 4
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJuly 1881, Erie County, PA
Jane Doe "Campbell," 3
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackFebruary 1881, McKean County, PA
Miss Shearer, 16
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attack
The famous Pilot vs. Crib dogfighting match in 1881 was held in Pittsburg, Kentucky. People from New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, New Orleans and more traveled to attend. The Ohio and Mississippi Railroad issued special excursion tickets to the fight.May 1880, Tishomingo County, MS
John Doe, Elderly
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMay 1880, Ohio County, WV
Jane Doe "Gillespie," Elderly
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJuly 1879, Bergen County, NJ
Sammy Ryer, Child
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackSeptember 1878, Stark County, OH
Jane Doe "Applinger," 3
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMarch 1877, Hamilton County, OH
Jane Doe "Boote," Child
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackSeptember 1876, Lawrence County, PA
John Doe, Child
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackDecember 1875, Adams County, MS
Jane Doe "James Fagan," Adult
Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)March 1865, Rockingham County, NH
Infant Baby Doe
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackJanuary 1858, Kings County, NY
Eddie Johnston, Child
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMay 1957, Sandusky County, OH
John Doe "Stewart," 5
Fatal dog attack involving bull terrier (pit bull-type)October 1856, Rensselaer County, NY
James O'Connell, 12
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackNovember 1850, Montgomery County, OH
Jane Doe "Schenck," Child
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attack
By the 1850s, dogfighters were well ensconced in America. Cargo ships plying the Atlantic were regularly bringing pit dogs from both England and Ireland. - American Pit Bull Terrier HandbookNovember 1844, Baltimore County, MD
John Dubernard, Adult
Fatal bull terrier (pit bull-type) attackOctober 1836, Allegan County, MI
J. Alverston, Young Adult
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attackMarch 1833, Allegheny County, PA
Infant Doe
Fatal bulldog (pit bull-type) attack
fact
U.S. fatal pit bull attacks have surpassed 400 since 1998; the last year the CDC studied fatal dog attack data by breed. In the last 8-year period of the CDC study (1991 to 1998), pit bulls averaged 2.9 deaths per year. From 2013 to 2020, the most recent 8-year period, pit bulls averaged 28.4 deaths per year, an increase of over 850%.resources
Fatal Dog Bite Statistics
- 2021 Covid Report
- 2020 Covid Report
- 2019 Fatalities
- 2018 Fatalities
- U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities: Breeds of Dogs Involved, Age Groups and Other Factors (2005 to 2017)
- View More Years
Pit Bull Fatality Maps
Breed-Specific Laws
Learn about breed-specific legislation (BSL) and why cities, counties and even nations adopt these laws.Meet the "Grippers"
The "bull baiter" of the 1800s, the "bulldog" of the early to mid 1900s and pit bulls are one in the same.- Historical Experts on Gripping Dogs - Bulldogs and their Kin
- Historical News, Editorials, Letters about Pit Bulldog Problem