健康英语新闻:Biting dogs become real danger to many Americans

Dog bites have caused a lot of insurance claims and lawsuits in the country.

State Farm, a leading insurance provider in the U.S., has compiled a list of statistics detailing the number of dog bite insurance claims it received in 2010.

As far as State Farm claims are concerned, California leads the pack with a total of 369 claims and roughly 11 million dollars in payouts. This averages nearly 30,000 dollars in payouts per dog bite claim.

Illinois ranked the second with 317 claims and 9.7 million dollars paid, followed by Ohio with 215 claims, 5.7 million dollars paid. Texas ranked the fourth with 202 claims, 3.7 million dollars paid. Michigan the fifth with 166 claims, 5.2 million dollars paid. Pennsylvania the sixth with 155 claims, 3.9 million dollars paid. Florida the seventh with 146 claims, 5.6 million dollars paid. Minnesota had 139 claims, 3.4 million dollars paid. New York had 119 claims, 4.3 million dollars paid. While Indiana had 114 claims, 1.8 million dollars paid.

In total, these 10 states were responsible for close to 55 million dollars in insurance payouts for 1,942 claims, averaging 28,321,32 dollars per claim.

Out of the top 10 leading states, only Ohio has reserved the right to refuse claims on a breed-specific basis. Ohio-based insurance companies are free to refuse claims or raise rates for owners of pit pulls or any American Staffordshire terrier mix. All states allow for insurance companies to inquire about pets and their dispositions on applications for homeowner's insurance, however.

Local states have different legislations on personal injury by dogs. The California legislature has made it easier than nearly every other state for victims of dog bite attacks to hold owners or handlers responsible.

While most states require a history of viciousness or a propensity for violence on the part of the dog before strict liability can be applied, California dog bite statutes state that "the owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness ...."