Recreational activities such as playing, jogging, or cycling can provoke dogs to attack, and more dog bites occur in warmer months and in the afternoon and evening with more outdoor contact between people and pets. In the US from 1979 through 1988, dog attacks claimed an average of 15 human lives annually. Most deaths occurred in children. All attacks by unrestrained dogs off the owners' properties involved multiple dogs. All neonate deaths involved a sleeping baby on the dog owner's property.
Male dogs are more likely to bite than female dogs.
In 1995 and 1996 the top 3 breeds involved in fatal attacks on people, in descending order, were pit bulls, Rottweilers, and German shepherds. However, attacks by breed fluctuates with breed popularity. Dog bites can be reduced by proper selection, socialization, training and care of dogs. Spaying and neutering dogs reduces aggressiveness. School-based education programs on bite prevention and dog behavior directed at parents and children are available.