Nearly 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nearly one million of these bites are bad enough to need immediate medical attention. Nearly 25 percent of all dog bites are suffered by children under age 14, making dog safety an important concern for their parents and their children.
Help your family avoid dog bite injuries by practicing the following safety tips when dealing with dogs:
- Do not approach an unfamiliar dog. If the dog is with its owner, ask the owner if it’s safe before petting or approaching the dog. Allow a strange dog to see and sniff you before petting it.
- If a strange dog approaches you, do not run or scream. If an approaching dog starts attacking, drop to the ground and lie still. Acting in a hostile manner toward an aggressive dog may only make the dog more violent.
- Report strays and dogs acting strangely to your local animal control office as soon as possible. Although humans do not often catch rabies or other diseases from dogs, these diseases may make the dog more likely to bite. If the dog has rabies, it can be transmitted to other animals.
- Spend time with a new dog and have it examined by a vet and neutered or spayed before bringing the animal into your home. If any household members are afraid of dogs, consider delaying your adoption of a dog until all family members are comfortable with the animal.
Dog bite attacks can be frightening, especially for children, and may cause serious injuries. The experienced dog bite injury lawyers in Chattanooga at Massey & Associates, P.C. can help you understand and protect your legal rights after a dog bite attack. For more information and a free consultation, call us today at (423) 396-0720.
Gary Massey, Jr., is a well-known courtroom advocate practicing law in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gary is a native of Tennessee who began practicing law in 1998. He graduated from Cumberland School of Law where he was ranked in the top 3% of his class and was an editor of the Cumberland Law Review.
