The Law Offices of Moseley Collins
Sacramento Dog Bite Injury Accident Attorney
An average of 4.7 million people are attacked and/or bitten by dogs in the United States a year. Roughly 800,000 of those bitten sought medical treatment for their injuries, while 333,700 were treated in emergency rooms, 6,000 were hospitalized. Sadly, an average of 12 people die each year from their injuries. These statistics vary year to year since there is no centralized reporting system for dog bites which makes for enormous difficulties in collection of the data.
It is especially important to teach children safety around dogs because 60% of those bitten by dogs each year are children.
Tips on Preventing Dog Bites
- Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.
- Do not run from a dog and scream.
- Remain motionless (e.g., "be still like a tree") when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
- If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still (e.g., "be still like a log").
- Do not put your face or hands near an unfamiliar dogs face.
- Do not let children play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
- Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior.
- Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
- Do not disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
- Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
- If bitten, immediately report the bite to Animal Control and seek immediate medical attention.
The American Veterinarian Medical Associations Dog Bite Prevention Message Points:\
DOG ATTACKS ARE A SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEM
- Dog bites requiring medical attention in the United States number 500,000 to 800,000 annually. Countless more bites go unreported and untreated.
- On average, about a dozen people died each year from dog bites.
DOG BITES CAN ALSO RESULT IN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LIABILITY FOR PET OWNERS
- Over the past 15 years, more than half the states have passed laws with stiff penalties for owners of dogs who cause serious injury or death.
- The Insurance Information Institute estimates that insurance companies pay out roughly $345.5 million in dog bite liability claims.
REGARDLESS OF SIZE OR BREED, ALL DOGS CAN BITE IF PROVOKED. RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP IS KEY TO REDUCING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A DOG BITE AND CAN ENHANCE THE OWNER/DOG RELATIONSHIP
- There is no such thing as a bad breed of dog. All dogs can bite if provoked. Responsible dog ownership is key.
- Carefully consider your pet selection. Consult your veterinarian.
- Socialize your dog so it feels at ease around strangers and other animals. Don't put your dog in a position where it feels threatened and teased.
- Train your dog to respond to the basic commands.
- Keep your dog healthy. Have your dog vaccinated against rabies.
- Be alert to signs your dog is uncomfortable or feeling aggressive.
IN MANY INSTANCES, A DOG ATTACK IS AVOIDABLE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER TO STAY CALM IF APPROACHED BY A DOG.
- Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.
- Be on the lookout for potentially dangerous situations.
- Teach young children to be careful around pets. Children should be taught not to approach strange dogs. They should ask permission from a dog's owner before petting the dog.
- Never disturb a dog that's caring for puppies, sleeping or eating.
- If a dog approaches to sniff you, stay still. In most cases, the dog will go away when it determines you are not a threat.
- If you are threatened by a dog, remain calm. Don't scream. If you say anything, speak calmly and firmly. Avoid eye contact. Try to stay still until the dog leaves, or back away slowly until the dog is out of sight. Don't turn and run.
- If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your head and neck. Protect your face.
- A brochure titled "Don't Worry, They Won't Bite," provides tips on responsible dog ownership, as well as suggestions on how to avoid being a victim of a dog attack.
- The "Fido! Friend or Foe?" activity book was produced by State Farm and the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. The book teaches children how to act responsibly and safely around dogs through coloring, dot-to-dot and other activities.
Dog bite victims face medical bills, loss of wages, physical pain, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life. If injuries are severe or permanent, families suffer economic loss, mental anguish and the loss of companionship in caring for an injured family member. In the event of death, families are torn apart without any warning.
It is important to know what to do to protect the legal rights of yourself and your loved ones. Selecting the right attorney is an important decision. You should choose someone who is experienced, aggressive and dedicated to working to get fair compensation for your injuries. That is why you should contact The Law Offices of Moseley Collins. We have successfully represented thousands of accident and injury victims over the past decade.
IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS BEEN INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT
IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROTECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.
PLEASE CALL US:
(916) 444-4444
OR
1(800)-4-COLLINS
OR CLICK HERE FOR A FREE CONFIDENTIAL ACCIDENT CASE EVALUATION
