Over 4.5 million Americans suffer dog bites each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Of those 4.5 million dog bites, one in five will require medical care and about 31,000 people need reconstructive surgery each year because of a dog bite.
The most likely victims of dog bites are children, as are people with multiple dogs in their home. To raise awareness and combat dog biting, the American Veterinary Medical Association sponsors National Dog Bite Prevention Week each May. Thankfully we don’t have to wait until May, Dr. Katy Nelson, an emergency veterinarian, recently offered these tips on preventing dog bites.
Dog Bites, What to Do to Avoid Them
- Any breed of dog can bite you. “Sure, pugs and golden retrievers generally have gentle temperaments, but every single breed is going to have an exception to the rule,” says Nelson.
- Always ask permission before petting a dog. Never touch a strange dog or let your dog approach another dog without first checking with its owner. “It dumbfounds me when people let their kids walk around my waiting room petting the dogs there, but I see it all the time,” warns Nelson.
- Use caution. “Just because someone says their dog is great with people and other pets doesn’t mean they’ll be great with you or your pet at that moment,” says Nelson.
- Watch your body language. Nelson recommends sticking your hand out, palm facing up, for the animal to sniff. “If it’s a big dog, I might do this from a standing position,” she advises. “With a smaller dog, I crouch down. If you move toward them with a non-aggressive posture, you decrease the likelihood of aggression coming back at you.”
Dog Bites and the Law Los Angeles
That’s all great advice, but the bottom line is dogs are animals and they are capable of biting people. A dog bite is a traumatic event resulting in serious injury. Often a bite will result in permanent scarring, nerve damage and a significant risk of infection. Many times there is psychological harm that lasts well beyond the physical injury. If you are injured by a dog bite, you have the right, under the dog bite laws, to seek compensation.
Contact a Dog Bite Attorney Los Angeles
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Our dog bite attorneys have substantial experience in litigating verdicts and negotiating settlements in dog bite cases. Contact our law firm at (877) 702-7274 to speak to a dog bite lawyer today.
