Michigan Ranks 9th for Animal-Related Deaths in New Study

Michigan gives us black bears, wolves, coyotes, one venomous snake, and enough deer to turn every nighttime drive into a white-knuckle trust exercise. Still, deadly encounters with animals in the Mitten State remain extremely rare.

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Outforia analyzed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mortality records from 1999 through 2024 and counted 6,080 animal-related deaths nationwide. That works out to about 234 annually, meaning Americans remain considerably more dangerous to themselves around ladders, bathtubs, and gas station sushi.

The Biggest Threats Are Surprisingly Familiar

black and brown insect on black metal screen

Forget grizzly bears and sharks. A separate analysis of CDC data found hornets, wasps, and bees caused 31% of animal-related deaths between 2018 and 2023. Other mammals, including horses and cattle, accounted for 28.6%, while dogs caused 26.2%.

Most tragedies begin with ordinary situations: an allergic reaction, handling livestock, approaching an unfamiliar dog, or getting too close to wildlife for a photograph nobody needs.

How Michigan Residents Can Lower the Risk

People with sting allergies should carry prescribed emergency medication and take severe reactions seriously. Supervise children around unfamiliar dogs, leave wildlife alone, and use proper equipment when working with livestock.

a deer standing in the middle of a road

Vehicle-involved animal deaths are not included in the Outforia study, which in Michigan are the real killer. The Michigan State Police (MSP) recorded 58,324 deer-involved crashes in 2024 alone, with 14 of those resulting in a fatality.

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Beyond car-deer-related deaths, Michigan recorded 194 animal-related deaths during the 26-year study, placing ninth nationally. That equals 7.5 deaths per 10 million residents. The most common cause across the Midwest was stings from hornets, wasps, and bees.