After the horrific alligator attack in Florida, many people are on edge around the water. Every summer, we hear of shark attacks off the coast of the Carolinas and grow concerned about the presence of such predators on our beaches. And with the Zika virus spreading fast, everyone is stocking up on insect repellant to protect our families from the dangerous mosquito bites.
But are we worrying about the wrong kind of animal attack?
Dogs: the ultimate predator?
The reality is that we are far more likely to be bitten by something in our own homes and backyards: the family dog.
CNN reports that dogs are more likely to kill people than insects, alligators and sharks combined. The only predators more lethal than dogs were livestock and hornets/wasps/bees.
Some of this comes down to the odds of interacting with such animals. Dogs are everywhere – we interact with them daily – whereas sharks and alligators live in very specific locales and humans do their best to keep away from them. Unlike wild animals, we trust our beloved family pets to behave kindly towards us. Sadly, this trust is often misplaced. After all, they are animals first and foremost.
Protecting your family
So what can you do to protect yourself and your family from lethal dog bites this summer? Review safety techniques with your kids. Never approach strange dogs without permission from their owner first. With your own dog, learn the warning signs that a dog is becoming agitated and keep away from them while they are eating.
There’s no surefire way to avoid a dog attack, but understanding what causes a normally friendly pet to snap can go a long way to prevent a bite.
Contact Our Virginia Dog Bite Lawyers
No Legal Fees Unless We Settle or Win Your Case
If you’d like to discuss your situation with one of our Virginia dog bite lawyers, give us a call to set up an appointment. The consultation is free and there is no obligation. If you do decide to retain us to represent you, we have a no fee promise – you pay no legal fees unless we settle or win your case.
