Avoiding Dog Bites

A recent survey carried out by the American Pet Products Association indicates that there are currently over 78.2 million pet dogs in the United States, which comes out to roughly one dog for every four people in the country. With such an enormous number of domesticated dogs in the country, it is easy to understand how dog bite accidents can happen, as not every dog is sure to have a responsible owner who has properly socialized the pup.

Dogs are not inherently dangerous, but dog bites do happen all the time. It’s essential to realize that just as not every dog will bite, it is possible that any dog could bite. Taking the time to be safe around new and unfamiliar dogs can go a long way toward reducing your risk of being injured in an attack. However, when pets do bite, it is important that their owners are held responsible. If you have been the victim of a dog bite injury, contact a St. Louis injury lawyer from the Finney Law Office today by calling 314-646-0300.

Dog Safety Tips

The fault for a dog attack always rests with the dog’s owner and never the victim, but even still there are steps that you can take to reduce your own risk around dogs. Follow these simple steps to keep yourself and your children safe from dog bites:

• Learn to identify how dogs display their emotional state with body language. If an animal is baring its teeth, has raised hair at the nape of its neck, or lays its ears back, it is likely in a fearful or aggressive state and likely to bite.

• Be wary of possessive tendencies around food and toys. Putting your hand between a dog and something that it considers to be its property can result in a bite.

• Do not run from an aggressive dog, as this will just encourage the animal to chase. Remain still and calm, and wait for the dog to lose interest and leave.

• Never leave small children alone with a dog. While your pet may be extremely docile, even the most patient dog can become irritated with a small child’s affections.

• Teach your kids to ask permission before they interact with strange dogs.

While following these guidelines can help reduce your risk of accident or injury, other owners may engage in negligent practices that put you and your loved ones at risk.

Contact Us

Dog bites can be serious injuries that require expensive medical treatment, and the costs associated with a dog bite should always be paid by the responsible party rather than the victim. If you have been bitten by another person’s dog, let a St. Louis injury attorney at the Finney Law Office help you fight for the compensation you may deserve. Call us today at 314-646-0300 to learn more about your legal options.