This is a list of human deaths caused by dogs, which have been documented through news media, reports, cause-of-death statistics, scientific papers, or other sources. The attribution of the dog type or breed is assigned by the sources. For additional information on causes of death and studies related to fatalities resulting from dog bites or attacks, see Fatal dog attacks.
Brazil is moving closer to the goal of eliminating deaths due to dog-mediated rabies.[1] Since 1983 the incidence of dog-borne rabies has decreased by almost 98% with only six reported cases in 2021. Between 2010 and 2021, 39 cases of human rabies transmitted by various species were recorded. The last reported fatality due to dog transmitted rabies happened in 2010 in Ceará.[2][3][4]
In 2023, the number of fatalities due to dog attacks increased significantly.[5]São Paulo recorded the highest number of cases in the country, with 19 deaths, representing a 137.5% increase compared to the previous year. Rio Grande do Sul saw 7 deaths, reflecting a 40% increase, while Goiás experienced a 200% increase.[6]
In April 2024, in response to a series of severe[7][8][9] and fatal dog attacks, Member of Parliament Julio Cesar Ribeiro introduced an amendment to the penal code aimed at regulating such incidents. The proposed amendment suggests that walking certain dogs in public spaces without a muzzle should be deemed a criminal offense, carrying a potential prison sentence ranging from 15 days to 6 months. Ribeiro emphasized that these measures are not intended to penalize the dogs themselves but rather to hold owners accountable for failing to take necessary precautions to ensure community safety.[10] Concerned about the increase in dog attacks and deaths Member of Parliament Mário Heringer pushes for a change in the law for some time. His drafted legislation (PL 7316) requires owners of specific dogs to possess a certificate of ownership for their animals. Furthermore, the draft proposes mandates for the containment of dogs within private properties through the use of appropriate gates and fences, aiming to prevent their presence on public roads. Criminal liability in the event of attacks is also addressed in the proposed legislation.[11]
São Paulo, Votorantim — She was attacked inside her house and neighbors called the police when they saw her injured near her house's wall. The police had to put the dog down to get to the victim. She was rescued, but succumbed to her injuries.[13][14]
Goiás, Cidade Ocidental — The dog bit the victim on the neck, who suffered severe blood loss. When a rescue team arrived at the scene, she was already dead. Neighbors killed the dog.[17]
Minas Gerais, Três Corações — The woman was on the street, near the gate of the house where the dog lived, when the dog attacked her. Neighbors had to intervene to stop the attack. The Fire Brigade was taking her to the hospital when she suffered a cardiopulmonary arrest and was revived, but did not resist and later died.[18]
São Paulo, Leme — The baby was in a carriage when the dog, who was tied to a chain, got close to the carriage and attacked her, biting her on the head.[19]
Rio Grande do Norte, Touros — The dogs belonged to the boy's grandmother, who went to the neighbour to get some medicine. While she was away, the dogs, who were loose in the yard, got inside the house and attacked the boy. He suffered a deep lacerating injury, which involved part of his skull and exposed his brain mass, as well as his neck.[24][25]
Espírito Santo, Nova Venécia — A man tried to escape from angry people he was allegedly trying to steal from. He jumped over a wall into an adjacent yard and was attacked by the dog living there. He managed to jump back over the wall but died on the site as a result of his injuries.[26]
Paraná, Wenceslau Braz — The dogs, who belonged to his daughter, attacked him inside their house. Police had to shoot and kill all three to be able to rescue the man. He had both of his forearms amputated due to the severity of his injuries. He died in the hospital.[27][28]
São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto — She was attacked inside a plot of land, where the dog was tied up with a large rope which was attached to the railing of an abandoned house.[29]
Rio Grande do Sul, Uruguaiana — José was mowing the lawn when the neighbor's dogs escaped and attacked him. He was taken to a hospital, where he died two days later.[30]
São Paulo, Ribeirão Pires — De Souza was doing renovations for the dog's owner when the dog broke through a metal door and attacked and killed the man.[31]
Minas Gerais, Congonhas — The dog broke free from its chain and attacked the man, who was at the house as a guest for a party. He was bitten on the neck and face.[32]
Espírito Santo, Nova Venécia — He was playing on his house's backyard when the family dog attacked him, biting him on the neck and head. He was taken to a hospital, but succumbed to his injuries. The dog was shot dead by a neighbor.[33]
Santa Catarina, Criciúma — The man jumped over a property's wall in order to rob the place, but was attacked and killed by the property's guard dogs. His corpse was found hours later by the building's owner.[38][39]
Minas Gerais, Patos de Minas — When the man entered his sister's house, the dogs, who belonged to her, attacked him, biting him on the neck. He died at the scene. Police had to shoot the dogs to retrieve his corpse and rescue two other people that were also injured.[40][41]
Pernambuco, Olinda — The man was talking to a neighbor, who was walking his dog. At one point, the man got closer and tried to pet the dog, who then lunged and bit him on the neck. He was rescued by relatives and taken to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Doctors noted that the bite had severed his jugular vein.[42]
Espírito Santo, Serra — She was walking her dogs when the pit bull, which was loose on the street, lunged at them. She then tried to lift her dogs, but the leash got tangled on her leg, causing her to fall on her back. She went to a hospital, did an X-ray, was treated for a coccyx dislocation and was discharged. On September 4, she went to the hospital again due to urinating blood and was hospitalized after a kidney injury was found, caused by the fall. She died at the hospital.[43][44]
Goiás, Anápolis — The man was caught naked sexually abusing a mutt on the street. After that, he opened the gate of the house where the other dog was. The dog then attacked him, biting him on the legs and tearing off a piece of his buttocks. The dog's owner tried to get it off him, but he was already dead.[46]
August 15, 2024
Luiza Pereira dos Santos
57
F
Undisclosed (4)
São Paulo, Penápolis — The neighbor's four dogs invaded her property and attacked her. Her son found her unconscious with her chest covered in blood. She was taken to the city's emergency room, where she succumbed to her injuries.[47]
Paraná, Matinhos — The dog escaped from its property, attacked a nearby woman and then attacked the man when he tried to help her. He was bitten on the neck and head.[48]
São Paulo, Icém — She fell and was bitten on the neck by her son's dog. She died at the hospital. The son had the dog for 7 years. A neighbor who tried to help was also bitten.[51]
June 4, 2024
Isis da Silva Sobrinho
<1
F
Undisclosed
Goiás, Cidade Oeste — The 5-month-old girl was left home alone and was attacked by her grandparents' dog. They had the dog for 5 years. Her uncle tried to save the girl, but she died in the hospital.[52][53]
Santa Catarina, Criciúma — The man was tasked with doing work on the property. He was attacked when he entered the area where the dogs were confined. Due to the presence of the dogs, first responders were unable to help the victim. The police shot the dogs, but he had already died at the scene.[54]
May 17, 2024
Elza Maria de Souza
85
F
Undisclosed
São Paulo, Itaberá — She was attacked in her yard by one of her neighbor's three dogs.[55]
São Paulo, Cruzeiro, Natividae — He was attacked by a dog he was tasked with feeding in the past. The dog was with the owners since he was a puppy. He died at the hospital.[56]
Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Ingleses — The man wanted to do some repair work on the property and was attacked by the dogs he knew. 3 dogs were fatally shot and one was brought to the veterinarian for treatment.[57]
São Paulo, Mogi Mirim, Vila Dias — A young man was killed by his dog. He was having an epileptic seizure at the time of the attack. The family was not able to stop the dog from attacking, so a neighbor had to shoot the dog.[60][61]
Piauií, Santa Bárbara, Teresina — The child was attacked by the dog while she was sleeping. She was taken to the hospital but did not survive. The family dog had been in the family home for seven years.[62]
Acre, Rio Branco, Segundo — According to police, the child was used to feeding and playing with the family dog. Family members found him bleeding in the yard and transported him to the hospital. He did not survive his injuries.[65]
São Paulo, Bebedouro, Jardim Marajá — An 11-month-old baby was attacked in her sleep by a dog at her aunt and uncle's house. She was taken to hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.[67][68]
Rondônia, Presidente Médici — The pair was attacked while trying to remove porcupine quills that were on the snout of one of the dogs. A family member found the pair and alerted police. 4 of the dogs were shot, 1 fled into the nearby forest.[69][70][71]
Minas Gerais, Betim, Belo Horizonte, Parque do Cedro — The dog owner and aunt was watching the baby for the parents. She was also injured by one of her two dogs.[82][83][84][85]
Bahia, Teixeira de Freitas — The boy went into the garden to get a ball. The family's dog attacked him. The 7-month-old dog was bought just two days before the attack.[86][87]
São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Jardim Salgado Filho —The couple was attacked in their home by their nephew's dogs. The nephew lived on their property and was not at home at the time of the incident. 4 dogs were picked up by an NGO and placed in a shelter-like facility.[88][89]
Minas Gerais, Paraguaçu — A woman and her husband were at their flat, in a condominium, when they were attacked by their neighbours escaped pit bull, they were both taken to the hospital where Helenita died from her injuries.[91]
Maranhão, São Luís, Codó — The 10-month-old child was visiting his grandmother, who raised the dog since it was a puppy. The dog attacked when the mother bathed her son on the terrace of the house, where the dog was running around freely.[92]
Rio de Janeiro, Quintino — The victim was found lifeless in the yard of his house. First responders had to shoot the dog. The dog belonged to his son.[95]
São Paulo, Jundiaí — Two dogs were kept separately on the property. One of the dogs escaped into the yard and was attacked by the other dog. While trying to stop the fight, one of the owners was bitten. His brother tried to help but was also attacked.[96][97]
São Paulo, Vale do Ribeira, Registro — The dogs escaped from a house and attacked the victim, who was sitting and resting on the sidewalk. The man suffered severe injuries to his stomach, arms and legs. Neighbors drove away the dogs and provided first aid to the man. He was taken to the emergency room but succumbed to his injuries.[98]
Rio Grande do Sul, Veranópolis — She was attacked on the neck by the family dog in the house where she lived in the Renovação neighborhood. The 2-year-old dog was adopted a year prior by the victim's son, who also lived in the apartment.[99]
São Paulo, Mairiporã — A woman died after being attacked by three dogs. According to local residents, the owner had a habit of leaving the dogs unattended. Neighbors rescued the victim and the dogs were confiscated.[101]
Fatalities in 2022
Date
Victim
Age
Sex
Dog type (Number)
Circumstances
December 30, 2022
Undisclosed
70
F
Undisclosed
Goias — The woman was attacked while she was tending to the plants in the garden. Her grandson tried to scare away the neighbor's dog with a machete, but the dog wouldn't let go of the woman.[102]
Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Jardim Vitória — The dogs entered the woman's room and attacked her. She was bedridden and recovering from a stroke.[103]
Bahia, Jequié, Mandacaru— The child opened the door to the yard and was attacked by the dog.[104]
August 15, 2022
Undisclosed
69
M
Mix of medium size
Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Confis — The man was attacked by his own dog and died from blood loss. According to his wife, the dog was acting strange days before the attack.[105]
Rio de Janeiro, Nilópolis — The dog belonged to one of the victim's neighbors. The man allegedly left the gate open. The dog attacked the woman who was passing by the property.[106]
Macapá, Goiabal — The man was responsible for feeding the male dog and was attacked by it. Nearby workers heard the screams and saw the attack, they described it as everlasting. He was severely injured and died on his way to hospital. According to reports, his own female dog of the same breed did not attack him.[108][109][110]
Espírito Santo, Vitória, Cariacica, Maracanã — The dog owner found the man in the morning. Neighbors said they heard loud barking around 2 a.m. and suspect the man entered the property at that time and was attacked by the dogs.[111]
São Paulo, Limeira, Águas da Serra — The family dog entered the room where the 21-day-old baby was sleeping and attacked the child. The grandfather stabbed the dog in an effort to free the baby from the dog's mouth.[112]
São Paulo, Ourinhos — The victim was attacked in the early morning hours while walking home. The dogs escaped the owner while he opened his gate. She died days later in Marilia (SP).[113]
Minas Gerais, São Joaquim de Bicas, Boa Esperança — The neighbor's dog was loose on the street and attacked the boy. His father found him dead in front of the neighbor's house.[114]
August 14, 2021
Undisclosed
<1
(26 days)
F
Unknown
Santa Catarina, Biguaçu — A family pet bit a child in the head following a dog fight at home. Authorities later informed the public that it was not a Chow Chow as first reported. After the incident, some dog owners of this breed started to abandon their dogs. Due to this, the local environmental authority of Biguaçu felt it was necessary to publish a correction. They did not provide any information about the actual type of dog.[115][116]
São Paulo, Birigui — The victim was returning to a country house, carrying pizza boxes, and was attacked by the 6 dogs. She had multiple fractures, scalped, and extensive other injuries. She was familiar with the dogs who had never acted aggressively. Dogs were well cared for and kept. [119][120]
Goiás, Luziânia — Family pet of several years, attacked the 2 brothers, one of 2yo and the other of 7yo. Police shot the animal on site. Younger boy died of severe injuries to neck and head.[121][122][123]
Sergipe, Pinhão, Lageado Feio — The man was out for a walk as he often did when the dogs attacked him and severely injured his face. The dogs had run away from a farm.[124]
Rio de Janeiro, Araruama — The victim was looking after dogs whose owners were out of the city. 2 other boys, ages 7 and 9 years old were attacked. Each dog received two shots as they weren't stopping attacking the victims.[125][126][127]
Fatalities from 2000 to 2020
Date
Victim
Age
Sex
Dog type (Number)
Circumstances
June 23, 2020
Analû Novais
<1
F
Undisclosed
Bahia, Piripá — The family dog attacked the 26-days-old twins. One was dead on arrival and one died at the hospital.[128][129][130]
São Paulo — The boy was playing in a park when his kite fell onto the property next door. The boy jumped over the wall and was attacked by the dogs. A helicopter was called to the rescue, but the victim did not survive. Three dogs were killed in an effort to save the child.[131][132]
São Paulo, Piracaia — The dog escaped its property and attacked an elderly man who was pulling weeds on a nearby property. A neighbor tried to help but was also attacked.[135][136]
Rio Grande do Sul, Sapiranga — His grandmother was feeding her dog in a kennel. The dog escaped and attacked him inside the house. He was taken to the Sapiranga Hospital in critical condition and died.[137][138]
Bahia, Itapicuru — The child was alone in a bed in a room when she was bitten on the head by the family dog. She was taken to the local hospital but did not survive her injuries. The dog has known the child since birth.[139][140]
Goiás, Goiânia — The victim was attacked by his dogs named Spike and Lessie. His wife was not able to get the dogs off him. His son-in-law heard the screams for help and also tried to get the dogs to let go of him. But they did not stop, even when hit with a heavy construction tool (“picolé de concreto”). According to the family, the family dogs were friendly until recently. A month before, they killed another dog that lived in the house.[141][142][143]
São Paulo, Ituverava — The dog owner had the dog for five years. She was home alone when neighbors heard her screams during the attack. She was rescued but did not survive.[144]
São Paulo — The dog killed its owner and attacked the victim's wife later. The family had the dog for 8 years. The dog had already injured a child in the past.[148]
São Paulo, Guararapes — She put the 10-year-old family dog into a kennel and was attacked and killed. They had the dog since it was a puppy. Her daughter was also injured by the dog.[149]
São Paulo, Ipiranga —He was attacked by his male dog in his home. His daughter and neighbors tried to help but were not able to save him. He was already dead when first responders arrived.[154]
January 7, 2006
Undisclosed
<1
F
Undisclosed
Paraná, Londrina — The 17-days-old baby died after it was attacked in her stroller by the unleashed family dog named Rambo.[155]
São Paulo, Campinas, Limeira — The neighbor's dogs invaded her property and attacked her so badly that she died. The dogs also killed a dog on her property.[156][157]
Paraná, Curitiba — The dog owner was attacked by at least one of his 8 dogs. Neighbors heard the calls for help and alerted police. Police had to shoot the dogs to get to the man.[159]
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