How to Prevent Dog Attacks
Over 36% of the households across America own at least one dog, most of which are sweet, friendly, and wonderful companions. Unfortunately, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), an estimated 4.7 million people will be bitten by a dog yearly, with as many as 800,000 people requiring medical attention for these dog attacks, and an average of 12 people dying every year due to dog bite injuries.
The thought of being attacked by a dog is terrifying, but there are tips you can follow to not only prevent dog attacks but to ensure that any interaction you have with “Man’s Best Friend” is safe and enjoyable.
Know the Risks for Dog Attacks
Over half of dog bite injuries occur by dogs in homes that we are familiar with. The more dogs in a household, the higher the likelihood of being bitten, and according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), adults with two or more dogs in the household are five times more likely to be bitten than someone who does not own a dog.
Men are more likely to be bitten than women, but the CDC states that not only are children more likely than adults to be bitten, their injuries will be more severe. Children should never be allowed to harass, climb on, pull the tail, ears, or hair of any dog and all children should be supervised when interacting with any dog, including the family pet.
How to Prevent Dog Bites
There are certain “Dos” and “Don’ts” that should be followed when interacting with any dog. According to the CDC, these tips include:
Do’s
- Ask if it is ok to pet a dog before reaching out to do so.
- When approached by a strange dog, stand completely still.
- If a strange dog should knock you to the ground, curl into a ball with your head tucked under your arms and your hands over your ears and face.
- If you suspect a stray dog is acting strangely, report it to authorities immediately.
Don’ts
- Don’t approach unfamiliar dogs.
- Don’t run from a dog.
- Don’t panic and don’t make loud noises.
- Don’t disturb a dog that is eating, sleeping, or nursing its young.
- Don’t attempt to pet a dog without letting them sniff you first.
- Don’t allow children to interact with any dog unsupervised.
- Don’t encourage rough or aggressive play with your dog.
If you are approached by an unfamiliar dog that you do not wish to interact with, you should also follow certain rules to protect yourself. These include:
- Stay still and don’t panic.
- Avoid eye contact with the dog.
- Say “No” or “Go Home” in a deep, authoritative voice.
- Do not face the dog head on, which appears aggressive. Instead, keep your body turned to the side.
- Slowly raise your arms to your neck, keeping your elbows in.
- Wait for the dog to leave before making a move.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite attack, we at 844 See Mike are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses, and this includes working on your behalf to ensure a favorable settlement.
We at 844 See Mike are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, including when you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite attack, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.
We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at what we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at 844 See Mike, we put People, First.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com or schedule a meeting with us. We’re here 24/7.
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