Recovering from a dog bite is a long and painful road. Many times the emotional pain can outweigh the physical injuries. Call our experienced dog bite law firm for a free consultation. You may be entitled to monetary rewards, including pain and suffering. Call (800) 561-4887.
There are a number of reasons why dogs bite. They may bite due to fear, to protect their territory, or to establish power or dominance over the person being bitten. Certain dog owners mistakenly teach their dogs that biting is an acceptable form of play behavior. Responsible dog ownership is critical when it comes to preventing dog bites. Many aspects of responsible dog ownership, such as proper socialization, supervision, humane training, sterilization, and safe confinement, are necessary to prevent dogs from biting.
Here are some of the most common reasons why a dog may bite:
- The dog is protecting a possession such as food or puppies.
- The individual has done something to provoke or frighten the dog, such as hugging, moving into the dog’s personal space, leaning or stepping over the dog, or attempting to take something from the dog.
- The dog is scared, hungry, injured, or sick.
- The dog has not learned bite inhibition and accidentally bites hard when offered food or a toy.
- The dog views an individual or a child as “prey” because he or she is running or screaming near the dog.
Dog Bite Resources
Understanding the Warning Signs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs yearly. Half of these bites happen to children under 12 years old, and many are not reported to authorities.
In this section, we will explore the warning signs that a dog might bite someone and how to prevent it from happening in the future.
When a dog snarls or shows its teeth, it is a warning sign that they are about to bite. The more often the dog bites, the more likely it will bite again in the future.
If your dog does not have the training, it is important to train them not to bite people. This can be done by teaching your dog what “bite” means and reinforcing them if they do not bite those around them by rewarding them with treats or toys.
It is essential to know and understand the common triggers that cause dog bites so you can help avoid these types of dangerous situations.
Dog bites are always followed by behavior on the part of a dog that an astute observer can use as warning signs and then take steps to reduce the dog’s stress or fear and, therefore, the likelihood of an attack.
When a dog is about to attack, its ears are typically pinned back. The fur along the animal’s back may stand up, and you may even see the whites of its eyes. When a dog appears to be yawning, it is showing off its teeth. This should indeed be viewed as a warning sign. Non-social and stand-offish behavior, such as freezing in response to a touch or look followed by direct, intense eye contact back from the dog, is yet another clear sign that he may bite.
How to Prevent Dog Bites
Dog owners have a legal obligation to prevent their dogs from biting. If you are a dog owner and don’t intend to breed your dog, Having it spayed or neutered will help decrease the risk of bite-related behaviors.
Owners should also play and exercise with their dogs regularly to help them expend excess energy that might be redirected toward nervousness or aggression. Do not indulge in rough play with your dog. Don’t wrestle with your dog or play tug-of-war, which can lead to issues with dominance.
When it comes to dog bite prevention, there are a few things that you can do. The first is to ensure you are not provoking the dog. You should also avoid touching the dog’s food or toys and keep your hands out of the dog’s reach. If you want to pet the dog, start with a head pat and slowly work your way down its body.
We should also respect our dogs by ensuring that they have enough space in our home and yard to roam around and play. This will help them feel less pent up and more relaxed, discouraging them from biting people.
Dog bites are a serious public health problem. Every year, children are bitten by dogs more than 4.5 million times in the United States. Dog bites make up about one-third of all animal bites that require medical attention.
The most important thing about dog bite prevention is to teach your children how to avoid being bitten by a dog and what to do if they get bitten by one.
Teach them not to run past a dog, scream, or make sudden movements that may startle the animal and provoke an attack. Let them know that they should never attempt to pet a dog without permission from the owner and should never approach an unfamiliar dog without an adult present.
If your child gets bitten by a dog, you need to know what steps you need to take next:
The most important thing you can do to prevent a dog bite is to be aware of your surroundings and the people and dogs around you.
Awareness is key in preventing dog bites. It starts with knowing what to look for when you are out in public and how to avoid any possible interactions with dogs.
Some people might think it’s a good idea to hug or pat a strange dog, but this can lead to an unwanted interaction that could result in a dog bite.
- Do take your dog to training school. Dogs should know basic commands such as sit, stay, come and leave it.
- Don’t allow your dog to roam free in areas where it can harm other people. Use a leash in public places.
- Try to socialize your dog and expose it to different people and situations.
- Keep rabies vaccinations up to date.
- If your dog shows signs of aggression, seek professional help from your veterinarian.
- If you have children, take the time to educate them about how to behave around dogs, what to watch for and how to react if a dog attacks.
Which Dogs Bite
Many factors could affect a dog’s tendency to bite, such as its breed and age.
Some dogs have been bred for generations to be aggressive and territorial, while others have been bred for their skills as working dogs or even for their ability to be around people without biting them.
In addition, some breeds of dogs are more likely to bite because they were bred from other breeds of dogs that were known for being aggressive
In the United States, the list of top breeds involved in both bite injuries and fatalities changes from year to year and from one area of the country to another, depending on the breed’s popularity. However, several studies and surveys have shown consistently that pit bulls and rottweilers are involved in a disproportionately high number of dog attacks that result in serious injuries and deaths
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Although genetics do play some part in determining whether a dog will bite, factors such as whether the dog is spayed or neutered, properly socialized, supervised, humanely trained, and safely confined play significantly greater roles. Responsible dog ownership of all breeds is the key to dog bite prevention.
Breeds like Pitbulls and German Shepherds are more likely to bite than breeds like Beagles or Labrador Retrievers, typically.
Seeking Legal Help After a Dog Bite
Being attacked or bitten by a dog can be very traumatic, especially for children. Many dog bite victims have spent years trying to overcome the fear of being attacked again. Most dog bite lawyers understand that there is an emotional layer to dog bite cases and clients have a long road to recovery, both physically and emotionally. If you’ve been attacked by a dog and sustained injuries you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately to secure your rights. If you’d like more information please contact our office for a free consultation. Call (800) 561-4887.
