Dog Bites

More than 4.7 million people a year are bitten by a dog nationwide, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many of these bites could be prevented by proper dog safety education. For this reason, the CDC, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and the United States Postal Service (USPS) will be working to educate Americans about dog bite prevention during National Dog Bite Prevention Week in May.

Each year, about 800,000 Americans sustain dog bite injuries, and half of this number is children, largely ages five to nine years. Dog bites and dog attacks can happen at a home or outside, but following certain guidelines can help protect dog owners from being sued in civil court as well as prevent an Illinois dog bite injury:

• Dogs with histories of aggression are inappropriate in a household with children, or a household where children visit, especially young children;
• Spend time with a dog before buying or rescuing it, with the entire household if possible;
• Properly train and socialize any dog entering the household;
• Seek immediate professional advice if the dog displays seemingly aggressive or undesirable behaviors;
• Maintain appropriate security so that the dog cannot leave your property;
• Feed, treat and socialize the dog appropriately as a neglected dog can become aggressive;
• Do not play aggressively with a dog, especially one that does not know you;
• Never approach an unfamiliar dog, especially if it is displaying aggression (i.e. growling, raised hackles);
• Do not run and scream from a dog (it will chase you);
• Do not disturb a dog, especially an unknown dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies; and
• Stand your ground, without making eye contact with a dog, and allow it to sniff you before touching it.

If an Illinois dog owner does not follow these guidelines and their dog bites and/or injures a person without provocation, whether on their property or outside their property, the owner can be held liable for the injured victims’ medical expenses, loss of wages, physical pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite as the result of a negligent dog owner, the experienced Chicago dog bite injury attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm can help you determine the best course of legal action. Contact us today at 312-252-1488 for a confidential consultation at no-cost.

Each year, over 800,000 people are treated at hospitals for dog bite injuries in the United States. Although these injuries are rarely fatal, they can result in significant physical and emotional trauma. Knowing how to protect yourself and your loved ones from dog bites is crucial to prevent dog bite injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Although most dog bites occur to children between ages five and nine, children who are four or younger are more likely to be bitten in the face, head or neck, which can result in disfiguration, head trauma, or spinal cord injury. Parents can protect children and infants by never leaving them alone with a dog, even a calm one who knows the child well. Do not get a dog if your child is afraid of dogs, and be sure to spend time with a dog before adopting the animal.

Children can be taught to protect themselves from dog bites. Remind children never to approach an unfamiliar dog and to ask a dog’s owner for permission before they pet it. Teach children to stay still if a strange dog approaches them, and to curl into a ball if they are knocked over by a dog. Children should always allow a dog to sniff them first before petting.

Practicing safe habits is a good way to help prevent dog bites. Unfortunately, some dogs are aggressive by nature and may bite even if you do nothing to provoke them. When owners of aggressive dogs do not take proper steps to train the dog or keep the dog penned in, a serious dog bite injury may result.

If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite and you suspect the owner’s carelessness may be to blame, please don’t hesitate to contact an experienced Chicago dog bite lawyer. The attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm can help you understand your legal rights and options after a dog bite occurs. Call 312-252-1488 today for a free and confidential consultation on your Illinois dog bite injury case.