More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year across the U.S., according to the National Canine Research Council. Texas and Houston are ranked as some of the worst areas for dog bites and fatal dog attacks in the nation, with Houston earning the 2018 title of the Dog Bite Capital of America from the U.S. Postal Service.

Approximately 36 fatal dog attacks were reported nationwide in 2018, according to the nonprofit public education website DogBites.org. Between 2005 and 2017, the nonprofit recorded 433 deaths caused by dogs in the U.S., and 62 of those deaths occurred in Texas. During that same time period, family dogs inflicted 54 percent of all fatal attacks.

Using this data from DogBites.org, Chron.com compiled fatal dog attacks that took place in the Greater Houston area from the early 2000s to 2019. Some of these cases involved stray dogs, but many concerned family-owned dogs or a neighbor's dog.

Click through the photos above for more information on the fatal dog attacks around Houston between the early 2000s and 2019, according to DogBites.org...

According to the nonprofit, pit bulls were responsible for 72 percent of the fatal dog attacks recorded in the U.S. in 2018. While this breed is often accused of aggressive behavior that can lead to fatal attacks, officials from the American Veterinary Medical Association have reported that a dog's breed does not determine its aggressive nature, but rather its individual history and behavior does.

ON HOUSTON CHRONICLE.COM: Punish irresponsible owners when dogs attack [Editorial]

One of the most recent Houston area fatal dog attacks took place last month off Arlington Street in Northside. A woman later identified as Medessa Ragsdale, 44, was found in a ditch after three pit bulls viciously attacked her. The owner of the animals was one of two people to report the attack to police. Because of city ordinances that require owners to keep their dogs contained on leashes, the owner could face a possible charge of negligent manslaughter.

Some of the more unusual fatal dog attacks the city has seen concern people who are attacked by their own animals. Last February, a Houston woman known for her love of Doberman Pinschers was found dead in her backyard after an apparent dog attack. Police were called to the woman's home, later identified as Elaine Richman, 66, for a welfare check after she hadn't been seen at her dog training classes for two days. She was found covered with dog bites on her face, arms and hands.

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Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | rebecca.hennes@chron.com