Dog Bites: Awareness, Prevention and Protection

 Posted on February 25, 2016 in Personal Injury

Family pets are treasured companions and, for the most part, are lovable, caring family members. However, according to American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), aggression is the “most common and most serious behavior problem in dogs.”

Approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States. The average cost of a dog bite-related hospital stay is $18,200, which is 50 percent higher than the average injury-related hospital stay. The rate of dog bite-related injuries is highest for those aged 5 to 9-years-old. Moreover, children are more likely than adults to receive medical attention for dog bites.

Reasons Dogs Bite and the Repeat Offenders

Certain dog breeds have gained the reputation of having the susceptibility to lash out unexpectedly—common offenders usually include pit bulls and rottweilers. Still, Canine Journal notes that any dog can bite if “the conditions are right, no matter how well-bred, well-trained, or well-loved they may be.” Hence it is important to be aware of breed tendencies and general stressors. Aggressive behaviors generally begin with warnings and can lead to an attack. A dog that shows aggression to people usually exhibits increasingly intense behaviors including:

• Stillness or rigidness;
• Growling;
• Showing teeth; and
• Snarling.

Additionally, aggressive dog behavior can be classified in several ways and includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Territorial aggression;
• Possessive aggression;
• Protective aggression;
• Fear aggression;
• Defensive aggression; and
• Social aggression.

And while breeders and owners say to be warned, they also note to not live in fear of these breeds—fear feeds aggression. Importantly, safe, responsible ownership and training practices are key to the prevention of aggressive behaviors.

Protecting Yourself

If you do find yourself on the receiving end of a dog bite, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself. The Center for Disease Control recommends the following:

• Putting an object between you and the dog;
• Curling into a ball if pushed down to the floor; and
• Washing a wound and receiving medical attention as soon as possible to dress the wound and determine if any vaccination is required.

In addition to the deep wounds and lacerations which may result from a dog’s bite, many diseases can also be contracted and include rabies, tetanus, and bacterial and staph infections. Moreover, the disfigurement that can occur can be emotionally distressing for victims, especially the youngest ones. Medical treatment can be costly, painful, and may involve a lengthy recovery. Additionally, therapy may be a necessary part of the recovery as children are often left very frightened and fearful in everyday situations following an attack.

Compassionate Legal Counsel

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a dog bite, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries and recovery. Medical treatment can be costly. The understanding and experienced legal team at Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices will represent you to the fullest. The distress associated with an attack and the fear going forward is something our attorneys understand. We will fight to win the maximum possible to ease the burdens of your recovery. Please contact our skilled DuPage County personal injury attorneys to discuss the facts of your case so we can determine how we can help.