ALTOONA, PA (WTAJ) – The phrase “everything bark and don’t bite” is popular, but when it comes to dogs in Pennsylvania, that may not be the case as the state has seen an increase in dog bites , a new study shows.

The information collected and analyzed by Quote Wizardlooked at data on dog bites in relation to home insurance and found that Pennsylvania ranks 5th for dog bites in the United States.

Although there were only 787 claims in 2020, the average cost of claims in the state was over $45,000. This would represent costs 27% higher than 2019 data.

Key results for Pennsylvania:

• Dog bite claims cost $35,520,458 in 2020
• The average cost of a dog bite claim is $45,134
• Dog bite costs have risen 27% since 2019
• 787 complaints were filed in 2020

While it’s normal for insurance companies to deny coverage or raise premiums for Pit Bull owners, there are certainly other “big” breeds that can affect your coverage depending on company policies.

what you can do

Here are some steps you can take to establish your dog’s safety factor.

• Enroll your dog in a dog training class.
• Earn the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate from the American Kennel Club. It’s a great and respected way to prove your dog’s good behavior.
• Castrate or sterilize. There is evidence to suggest that a stationary dog ​​is more docile and well behaved.
• Keep up to date with your dog’s vaccinations and vet visits.

Plus, here are some other steps you can take to reduce your dog’s liability factor overall.

• Get to know your dog’s stressors and trigger behaviors to avoid them.
• Socialize them with other dogs. This reduces the risk of him feeling threatened when around other dogs and strangers.
• Train your dog on a leash.
• Train your dog to drop toys when playtime gets too tough. This way he will know the stop signal.
• Don’t leave your Pit Bull in the care of strangers or people with children. Children do not instantly know your dog’s limits and may provoke him accidentally.

The practice of denying owners coverage based on a dog’s breed is slowly changing. Michigan and Pennsylvania have passed legislation that prevents insurers from denying coverage based solely on race.

Data shows nearly 17,000 dog bite claims were filed in 2020, costing Americans more than $853 million.