The statistics on dog bites in Poland are shocking. According to the latest reports published by the media, there are approximately 100 dog attacks on humans every day. Most of them result in serious injuries, and some of them in death. We present the most important figures, look for the causes, and explain how to protect yourself from danger.
Dog Attacks on People – Thousands of Victims Every Year
News portals, daily newspapers, radio stations, social media – these are our everyday sources of information. The most commonly recurring topics include tragic events like accidents, fires, assaults, etc. We regularly hear about road incidents – for example, in 2023 there were 4,787 pedestrian accidents in Poland.
Because such stories are reported so often, it may give the false impression that thousands of pedestrians die on the roads every day. While this is indeed a serious and important issue, it can sometimes overshadow other dangers that receive much less media attention.
For example, statistics show that close to 100 dog attacks on people occur every single day. In 2024 alone, the total number of dog bite incidents reached nearly 27,000, according to a report by Izabela Kadłucka and her team from the Civic Network Watchdog Poland.
Dog Bite Statistics in Poland
In April 2025, this report began to gain significant media attention. Outlets such as Gazeta Wyborcza and TVN24 analyzed the findings in detail. The report not only presents shocking numbers but also examines the underlying causes of the problem.
According to the data, in 2019 there were 33,814 reported dog bites in Poland. That number decreased to around 21,000 in the following two years, though this drop was likely influenced by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
From 2022 to 2024, the number of dog bite incidents was 26,633, 31,120, and 26,588 respectively. These figures show that on average, about 100 people are bitten by dogs every day.
It’s worth remembering that there may be many more such incidents. The statistics only cover serious situations in which injured individuals sought medical help. However, every day there are cases of dangerous dog attacks that fortunately do not result in injuries.
The most dangerous dog breeds that attack
There are many dog breeds considered dangerous. However, it’s important to remember that none of them are inherently evil or dangerous. A dog’s behavior depends on many factors, such as upbringing, living conditions, and socialization. Statistics do, however, allow us to identify several potentially dangerous breeds.
The most dangerous dog breeds:
- American Pit Bull Terrier,
- Dogo Argentino,
- Rottweiler,
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog,
- Doberman,
- German Shepherd
Once again, we emphasize that a dog’s breed does not necessarily determine its behavior. Most representatives of the above-mentioned breeds are calm and loyal animals. However, even the smallest dog raised improperly can pose a threat and exhibit aggressive behavior toward people and other animals.
The best examples are Dachshunds or Chihuahuas, which are often hostile, but due to their small size, they do not pose as much of a threat.
The most high-profile dog bite cases in Poland
In recent years, there have been many high-profile tragic dog bite cases in Poland. In June 2024, in Barczewo, a tragedy occurred involving a 7-year-old girl who was mauled to death by dogs from a local breeding facility. Recently, in April 2025, the dog’s owner was charged with several offenses, including involuntary manslaughter.
A few months before the Barczewo incident, another tragedy occurred. This time, in Zgorzelec, a Bull Terrier mauled a seven-week-old baby girl. Earlier, in 2001, a puppy fatally attacked an infant just a few weeks old, while the parents were under the influence of alcohol. The case was widely reported by almost all major media outlets.
There are hundreds of similar cases, and the above examples of attacks on young children are not unusual. As reported by *Gazeta Wyborcza*, the victims are most often children under the age of 1:
“Children don’t understand warning signals, which is why they are often bitten. Their behavior can greatly excite a dog,” noted Kadłucka in an interview with the portal.
Interestingly, dog bites occur more frequently in rural areas than in cities. The expert cited above believes this is partly due to dogs being kept on chains, which intensifies their aggression.
Why do dogs attack? The real problem is the owners
Dog Attacks May Be Even More Common Than Statistics Suggest
It’s important to remember that the actual number of dog attacks may be significantly higher than what official statistics show. Most data only include serious incidents in which the injured party sought medical help. However, there are many cases every day where a dangerous dog attacks but, fortunately, no injuries occur.
The Most Dangerous Dog Breeds That Attack
There are many dog breeds often mentioned in the context of danger. However, it’s essential to emphasize that no breed is inherently evil or dangerous. A dog’s behavior depends on many factors, such as upbringing, living conditions, and socialization. Still, statistics allow us to highlight several breeds with higher incident rates.
Most dangerous dog breeds:
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Dogo Argentino
- Rottweiler
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Doberman
- German Shepherd
Again, we stress that a dog’s breed doesn’t automatically determine its behavior. Many dogs from these breeds are calm and loyal pets. Yet even the smallest dog, if raised improperly, can become aggressive toward people and other animals.
A good example might be Dachshunds or Chihuahuas, which are often hostile, but due to their small size, pose much less of a threat.
Poland’s Most Notorious Dog Attack Cases
Over the past few years, Poland has seen several widely reported tragic dog attacks. In June 2024, in the town of Barczewo, a 7-year-old girl was fatally attacked by dogs from a local breeding kennel. As recently as April 2025, the kennel owner was charged with, among other things, involuntary manslaughter.
A few months earlier, another tragedy occurred in Zgorzelec, where a Bull Terrier fatally mauled a seven-week-old baby girl. In a similar case from 2001, a puppy fatally bit an infant whose parents were under the influence of alcohol. The incident was reported by nearly all major Polish news outlets.
Hundreds of similar cases happen every year. These tragic attacks on infants are not isolated events. As Gazeta Wyborcza reports, most dog bite victims are children under the age of 1:
“Children don’t understand warning signals, so they are often bitten. Their behavior can be highly stimulating to dogs,” notes Kadłucka in an interview with the portal.
Interestingly, dog bites happen more frequently in rural areas than in cities. The expert cited above believes this is partly due to the practice of keeping dogs chained, which intensifies their aggression.
Why Do Dogs Attack? Owners Are Often the Problem
This device emits ultrasonic sounds that are inaudible to humans but interrupt an animal’s attack. Most importantly, they do not cause pain to pets, only mild and temporary discomfort. For this reason, it’s important to use the device as recommended and treat it as a form of self-defense or a training aid.
Sources: Gazeta Wyborcza, TVN24, Polish Police
Dog Bite Incidents in Poland – FAQ
Want to learn more about dog bite incidents in Poland? Find answers to the most frequently asked questions below!
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Which dog breeds most commonly attack humans?
Aggression depends more on a dog’s upbringing than on its breed. However, statistics show that the most frequent attackers include breeds such as the American Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, and Dogo Argentino. -
What compensation is available for a dog bite injury?
A person injured by a dog bite can claim compensation from the dog’s owner. The amount depends on factors such as the severity of the physical injuries, psychological trauma, treatment costs, and the owner’s degree of negligence. Compensation can range from several thousand to even hundreds of thousands of PLN. -
How do I claim compensation after a dog bite?
To seek compensation, you should report the incident to the police, visit a hospital for medical documentation, collect witness information and the dog owner’s details, and file a claim with the dog owner or their insurance provider. -
My dog bit another dog – what are the consequences?
You may be held civilly liable, which could include paying for treatment, rehabilitation, or compensation to the other dog’s owner. A fine of up to 500 PLN may apply, and in cases of serious negligence, fines can reach up to 5000 PLN. In extreme cases, criminal liability is also possible.
