Dog Bite Injuries - General Overview & Prevention

As a Phoenix and Tucson personal injury lawyer, I have represented many clients on dog bite cases over my years in practice.  Unfortunately, dog bites happen on a regular basis in the United States.  In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year and one in five dog bites results in injuries that require medical attention.  This equals about 885,000 people who need medical attention because of a dog bite.  In addition, according to the CDC's 2006 statistics, more than 31,000 people actually underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by a dog.

It is important to know who is most at risk of being bitten by a dog.  The answer is simple, children.  Among children, the rate of dog bite-related injuries is highest for those ages 5 to 9.  When you think about it, this does make sense.  I have noticed that parents seem to keep a close eye on younger children because they are so fragile.  But from 5 years and up kids start to become more independent and curious.  They want to play with the other kids and ....the dog.  This interaction sometimes leads to bites.  Research shows that having a dog in the household is associated with a higher incidence of dog bites.  As the number of dogs in the home increases, so does the incidence of dog bites. 

Fortunately, according to the CDC, recent research shows that the rate of dog bite related injuries among children seems to be decreasing.  In fact, dog bites are largely preventable.  So if any of our Friends who are reading this are considering adding a dog to their family (which you should), please consider doing the following:

Before bringing a dog into your household:

• Do your research!  Find out what breed is best suited to your lifestyle and family dynamic.  For example, do you work all day, do you have kids (are your kids small or older), do you travel a great deal, etc.  Find a dog that you will be happy with and that will be happy in your family.  I don't mind telling you that my family has found that our dogs don't do well if they are left alone without the rest of the family.  Common for their breed, our dogs are extremely needy and need lots of human contact, so they do not like being alone when we are at work.  Believe it or not, this has led to the added expense of a dog babysitter that we didn't anticipate.  Also, because our dogs are so small, they are not good with small children who may accidently hurt them.  These are the types of things that you should consider when picking the correct dog.  Research breeds on the internet and/or ask a veterinarian what breed is best suited to your lifestyle and household.
• Dogs with histories of aggression are not suitable for households with children.
• If possible, spend time with a dog before buying it or adopting it.
• Be sensitive to cues that a child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog.
• Use caution when bringing a dog into a household with an infant or a toddler.

If you decide to bring a dog into your home:

• Spay/neuter your dog (this often reduces aggressive tendencies).
• Never leave infants or young children alone with a dog.
• Don't play aggressive games with your dog (e.g., wrestling).
• Properly socialize and train your dog.

I hope you find this information helpful, but if you've been bitten by a dog or injured in any other type of accident, contact Zanes Law today at 520-777-7777 or 866-430-2585.  Our attorneys are available 24/7 to help you.