Millions of innocent people are seriously injured or even killed by dogs every year. Most of these dog bite victims are children who may suffer a variety injuries as the result of a dog attack. The most common dog bite injuries include:
- Disfigurement
- Brain injuries
- Permanent scarring
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Infection
- Psychological trauma
The dog bite attorneys at The Barnes Firm are experienced in handling dog bite cases, and our team can provide the answers and direction you need. Please call us or contact a Los Angeles dog bite lawyer for a FREE legal consultation.
The Barnes Firm 1-(800) 800-0000
Child Bit By Dog
Dog bites happen to everyone, but the most common victim of dog attacks are children. What’s more shocking is where these attacks are happening: at home or at the home of another family member. That’s why it’s important to teach young children, including toddlers, how to act around pets, especially those they are unfamiliar with.
DO NOT:
- Approach a dog from behind
- Touch, or even go near a dog’s food bowl
- Pull on any part of a dog’s body
- Stare at a dog
- Put your face near a dogs mouth (no kisses)
Even when around dogs familiar to them, a person (adult or child) should always put their hand out first so the dog can sniff them.
It’s also important to educate children on what to do if they encounter a mean dog. Here are some tips on what to do if you encounter a growling or barking dog:
- Remain calm
- Do not scream
- Avoid making eye contact with the dog
- Stay still until the dog leaves, or back away slowly until the dog is out of sight
- Do not run under any circumstances
- If you fall, curl into a ball with your hands covering your head and neck
The Number of Dogs
In the United States alone, more than 54 million households claimed they owned at least one dog. In total, studies estimate there are nearly 80 million owned dogs in the country. While many of these dogs may seem harmless, animal experts warn dogs can be territorial, protective and sometimes vicious.
At The Barnes Firm, our Los Angeles dog bite attorneys understand how traumatizing a dog bite can be. That’s why we work hard to get you and your family the most compensation you can get after an injury or a death.
If you or your loved one was bitten, Contact Us or call our Los Angeles dog bite lawyers to discuss your legal options for free.
The Barnes Firm 1-(800) 800-0000
Why Do Dog Bites Happen?
Approximately 500,000 people are bitten by dogs in the United States every year. Thousands of these bites require medical attention. Although it may be difficult to determine why a dog bites, veterinarians suggest a variety of factors could lead to a maiming or death.
The most common reason dogs bite is possessiveness. Experts say dogs will often protect objects and places from unfamiliar people. These objects and places can include a toy, food, territory, or even another dog or human.
Dogs also tend to bite when they’re in fear. Veterinarians often attribute this ‘fear factor’ on unfamiliar settings and people. Experts urge all families never to approach an unfamiliar dog and specifically teach children to do the same.
However, these reasons do not justify a dog bite.
The Los Angeles dog bite attorneys at The Barnes Firm know the laws that protect you from vicious dogs. If you were bitten on another person’s property, it is important to know that person may be liable for your injuries.
Who Gets Bitten By Dogs?
Although no one can truly avoid a dog bite, children and the elderly are most vulnerable to severe and even deadly injuries.
Unfamiliar workers, like mail carriers or an electrician may also be at a higher risk.
According to the U.S. Postal Service, nearly 6,000 letter carriers are attacked by dogs each year and in rare cases, dog attacks have resulted in their deaths. In Los Angeles, between 60 and 90 mail carriers suffer a dog attack every year, the most of any American city.
What Kind Of Dog Bites?
The truth is, any breed of dog can attack. However, statistics have consistently shown certain breeds are more prone to violence than others. According to press accounts compiled since 1982, molosser breeds such as pit bulls, rotweilers, mastiffs, boxers, and their mixes have caused 86 percent of recorded attacks that resulted in hospitalization. These breeds however only make up 9.2 percent of the total dog population.
Researchers suggest even if the pit bull category was “split four ways,” attacks by pit bulls and their closest relatives would still outnumber attacks by any other breed and are noted for attacking adults almost as often as children.
Many communities today are overturning breed-specific legislation that banned these dogs in cities and neighborhoods. Some veterinarians suggest the dogs are not the problem: their owners are and urge pet owners to dedicate the time to properly train and care for a canine.
At The Barnes Firm, our Los Angeles dog bite attorneys will hold those owners responsible for your injuries and we’ll fight to get you and your family compensation for this traumatic experience.
Contact Us online or call an Oakland dog bite attorney for a FREE case evaluation.
The Barnes Firm 1-(800) 800-0000