Dog Bites
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Dog bites are the most common type of animal bites. Dozens of people are killed by dog bites each year, and millions are injured. Dog bites, even if they don’t break skin, should receive medical attention for possible infection because of the high level of bacteria in a dog’s saliva. Dog bites usually occur because of owner negligence, and states have laws that prosecute individuals for owning dogs who are likely to attack or failing to control their dogs. Contact a personal injury attorney to have your questions answered and in order to understand your rights.
Dogs bite because they are protecting a person or property, they feel cornered because they are chained or tethered, or they are part of a pack and have developed a wild pack mentality. In all of these cases, dogs have been inadequately trained and controlled. Almost one half of dog bites involves the dog’s family or immediate neighbors, and many of the victims are children.
Owners are responsible for dog bites if the owner ordered the dog to attack, or if the person knowingly kept a dog that has bitten before. The owners are also responsible if they have been negligent, such as allowing their dogs to run free or putting their dogs in an improperly fenced area. Personal injury claims can be filed in these and other instances; contact an injury lawyer for more information.
Dogs that bite people often inflict more than just a bite; people can suffer from scratches, punctures, broken bones, loss of fingers, ears or lips, sprains and infections such as rabies. Symptoms of infections include fever, rash, pain, inflammation, oozing, headache and vomiting.
If a dog bites you, immediately move to a safe area away from the dog. Wash your wound with warm, soapy water, preferably with antibacterial soap. Seek medical services in order to prevent infection and if you need stitches. Contact your animal control agency and give them the location, description and any other information about the dog. Adequately document your would by taking pictures, measuring the size of the wound, getting doctor’s and animal control officer’s reports, etc.
Tags: animal attack, animal bites, bites, canine bite, dog attack, dog bite, dog bites, dog fight, dog scratch