Orlando Dog Bite Attorney
How to Prevent Dog Bites
by William Umansky Esquire, Attorney at Law
Close to one half of all people bit by dogs involve an animal owned by the victim's family or neighbors. A large percentage of dog bite victims are unfortunately children and therefore infants and young children should never be left alone with a dog. Although some studies suggest that there are some breeds of dogs which have been identified as being more aggressive than other dogs, almost any dog may attack when it feels threatened. Several dog breeds in fact have been identified for their role in fatal dog bite attacks including Pit-bull breeds, Malamutes, Chows, Rottweilers, Huskies, German Shepards and Wolf Hybrids. Pit-bull breeds counted for more than 41% of dog -bite related fatalities, almost three times as much as German Shepards. Getting bit by a dog can lead to risk of infection, rabies, scarring, staff infections, strep, and some other anaerobic organisms. If you or your child is bitten by a dog, diagrams and photographs of the area where the person is bit and the injury itself are extremely critical, especially in cases where the injury is severe or has a sign of infection and also for use in cases of personal injury litigation.
If you should want to get a dog for your family, you should take time to learn about the breed of dog you want. Read about the dog you are interested in, research on the internet, talk to a veterinarian and get as many books about the particular breed you are looking to get for your family. Be especially careful if you are looking at aggressive dog breeds such as German Shepards, Chows, Pit-bulls, Malamutes, Akitas, Dobermans, among others, as aggressive dog breeds may not be right for families with children.
Once you buy the new dog, you should take your dog to obedience school or have a trainer come to your house. Keep your dogs' immunizations up to date and have them regularly checked by a well qualified veterinarian. Part of training the dog includes also training your family and children about dogs. The most common things you should tell your children about dogs are as follows:
- Don't bother a dog that is eating
- Don't bother a dog that is sleeping
- Don't go near strange dogs
- Always have an adult with you when you play with a dog
- Never tease a dog
- Never pull on a dog's tail or any part of its hair
- Never physically bother the dog
- Never run away and scream when a dog approaches them
- Avoid making direct eye contact with the dog as you will be challenging its authority
- If you're bitten by a dog, tell an adult right away and seek immediate treatment
A dog can be a wonderful addition to any family and there have been studies that have shown that dogs can reduce blood pressure and bring happiness to a family. When a dog is not properly trained or selected for its attributes to get along with small children, it could lead to disastrous results. Always keep your dog on a leash and make sure your dog never plays with children without an adult being present.
At the Orlando dog bite attorneys of The Umansky Law Firm, in Orlando, Florida, we represent individuals who have suffered dog bites or animal attacks caused by the negligence or recklessness of others. Call us at (407) 228-3838 or contact us for a free initial consultation.
