Dog Bite Cases on the Rise in Ocean County
While some parts of the country are seeing fewer dog bite cases, there have been increases in some areas. This is true in some areas of New Jersey, such as Ocean County. In 2025, Ocean County has seen a high number of dog bites, and now officials are urging people to take better care of their pets.
In just the first six months of 2025 alone, the Ocean County Health Department received 874 reports of dog bites. That number exceeds the total number of dog bites reported in all of 2024, which was 783. In 2023, there were 714 dog bites reported.
Fortunately, none of the dog bites were fatal. But still, the increase is concerning, and it’s not clear what is causing it. The data comes from bites reported to animal control officers or from medical facilities when people seek treatment for an animal bite.
The statistics are vague, as Ocean County does not track the breed of the dogs involved, the severity of the injuries, or the ages of those bitten. There are also no details about the circumstances surrounding the bite, such as whether the victim was bitten by a pet or a dog running loose.
This lack of information stems from the fact the county receives reports on handwritten forms. They are filled out by someone involved in the report, whether it be animal control, the person who was bitten, or perhaps someone else. Typically if you are bitten by a dog and seek treatment in an emergency room, staff will provide you with a form to fill out.
Ocean County receives more than 1,000 bite reports each year. Dogs are not the only animals who bite. Bites from cats, ferrets, and rabbits are also commonly reported. Nationally, more than 4.5 million dog bites are reported every year. Of those, about 334,000 go to emergency rooms for treatment.
Children tend to be victims. Almost half of those bitten are under the age of 12. The elderly (those older than 70) are also at risk. They comprise 10% of those bitten and 20%of those killed by dog bites.
Unfortunately, there is unreliable information when it comes to determining which breeds are doing the biting. Larger dogs can physically do more damage if they do bite, but dogs from small breeds can also cause severe injuries. But categorizing breeds is still problematic because the dog may not be accurately recorded, and mixed-breed dogs are commonly described as if they were purebred.
Ocean County officials urge pet owners to be proactive with training, supervise children around animals, and stay up to date with vaccinations to help keep both people and pets safe.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Dog attacks can cause serious injuries. Pet owners need to be mindful of their dogs’ behavior and make sure their dogs are enclosed or on leashes when out in public.
Dog bites can be catastrophic or even fatal, especially to children and the elderly.
A Morristown dog bite injury attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff can help you get financial recovery. We focus on recovering full and fair compensation through personal injury claims for victims and their families. Schedule a consultation to get started. Fill out the online form or call (973) 455-1567.
