Every one knows that dogs are a human being’s best friend. But an look into the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) data might might turn that perception on its head. According to the findings, our canine friends are included in the top five animals that kill the most people! The list of creatures that kill the highest rate of human beings has some surprise entries too. Let’s see which the most dangerous animals are for us.

1. Mosquitoes

These small creatures are viewed by most of us more of an annoyance than a real threat. In fact they are the most dangerous, as mosquito related diseases are responsible for approximately 725,000 deaths per year. The WHO says a staggering 200 million people are temporarily incapacitated by malaria, of which 600,000 die!

2. Humans

That’s right, we are only surpassed by a tiny deadly insect! Humans are the second most prolific killers of their own species. Nearly half a million people are killed on average by other humans yearly. The data included suicide and homicide.

3. Snakes

Snakes, unsurprisingly, come in third on the list. Highly venomous snake bites that are left untreated cause the of nearly 50,000 people a year, most of which are recorded in India.

4. Dogs

Enter our ‘best friends’. This mammal, according to data, is one those most likely to kill human beings. Roughly 25,000 human deaths are recorded as a result of dog-related attacks every year. Over 90% of rabies worldwide are caused by dog bites.

5. Tsetse fly- Assassin Bug – Freshwater Snail

The Tsetse fly, the Assassin Bug and the Freshwater snail tie in 6th spot with 10,000 human deaths per year. The Tsetse carries the deadly ‘sleeping sickness’ and its bite causes the deaths of 10,000 people in Africa each year. The Assassin Bug or ‘Kissing Bugs’ bite humans near the lip and spread a parasite that causes the ‘Chagas disease’, which is fatal. It estimated that around 7 million people in central and south America have Chagas disease. The Freshwater snail, which is found across the world in lakes and rivers spreads the disease ’schistosomiasis’ to people that could cause paralysis of the legs, vomiting blood and flu-like symptoms.

Tsetse fly

Assassin Bug

Freshwater Snail

The remaining deadliest creatures for humans are:

Ascaris round worm with an average of 2,500 human deaths a year

Tapeworm with 2,000 human deaths a year

Crocodiles with 1,000 human deaths a year

Hippopotamus with 500 people killed a year

Lion with 100 people a year

Wolf with 10 people a year

and last, Shark with 10 people a year