With the start of National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 17 – 23, 2015) comes the annual reminder of just how common – and preventable – dog bites really are. The most common dog bite victims? Children and mail carriers. More than 2 million children fall victim to vicious bites, while over 5,000 mail carriers find themselves injured by dogs each year. Mail carriers acknowledge that dog bites are a job hazard, one they have worked hard to prevent each year – which is what makes them the perfect people to ask for tips about preventing dog bites in our own lives.
Mail carriers are discouraged from petting dogs they might meet on their routes, but if you find yourself reaching for a cute pooch, hang back a moment. By letting them sniff your hand, you allow the dog to size you up and determine if you could be a threat. If you believe the dog is about to bite you, try to place something in between you and the animal – a bicycle, purse or backpack could be the difference between a small nip or serious bite. Don’t ever run past a dog: instead, back slowly out of sight of the animal while avoiding eye contact.
Dog bites make up 5 percent of emergency room visits – the last thing you want is for your dog to be responsible for sending someone there. Spaying or neutering your dog is a great first step to preventing violent behavior. Keep your dog tethered when around strangers or young children. Even the nicest of pups can have unpredictable behavior.
Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer
A dog bite is a devastating experience, especially when the victim is a small child. Victims of dog attacks face serious physical injuries, permanent scarring, and emotional trauma. So if you were attacked or bitten by someone else’s dog you are probably trying to figure out what to do next. Contact Virginia dog bite lawyer Richard Serpe to discuss your legal options.
