National Dog Bite Prevention Week Is Just Around the Corner
Every year, experienced Texas dog bite injury lawyers and other professionals recognize National Dog Bite Prevention Week as a key time to help families avoid the pain and fear a dog bite can inflict. Although deaths from dog bites are rare, severe injury can easily result from a bite.
Consider these facts about dog bites from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA):
- Over 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the U.S. each year.
- Over 800,000 people who are bitten require medical treatment for the dog bite. At least half of those who need medical care are children.
- Children are bitten by dogs more frequently than adults. They are more likely to suffer severe injuries from dog bites and are more likely to need emergency care after a bite.
- Children ages 0-4 are more likely to be bitten by dogs than older children.
- When a young child is bitten, it is usually while the child is interacting with dogs he or she already knows.
How can you prevent dog bites from injuring someone you know? Consider the following tips:
- If you have a dog, make sure it is socialized and trained at a young age in order to help the dog feel comfortable around people and obey commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “no.”
- If you’re thinking about getting a dog, wait until children in your household are at least four years old.
- Teach children in your care how to approach strange dogs, how dogs behave when they feel threatened, and what to do if a dog is chasing or threatening them.
If you or your child has suffered a dog bite incident due to the negligent actions of another party, please contact Steele Law, P.C. for the legal guidance you need to attain adequate compensation for the damages you have suffered.