A 7-year-old from Chesapeake is recuperating in the hospital after a scary incident with two German Shepherds. The girl was playing with the dogs in the yard of a family friend. The dogs attacked, seriously injuring the child. Rescuers flew her to Sentara Norfolk General for treatment. The girl has since been transferred to Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters for surgery. The German Shepherds have been taken into custody while police investigate the incident.
The owner of the dogs has been charged with two counts of “vicious dog,” according to WVEC.
Even the most beloved family pets can turn vicious given the right – or wrong – set of circumstances. If you’ve ever watched a pair of dogs play, you know how carefree chasing and nipping can turn dangerous. Dogs often cannot tell when a person is injured or scared during such play, and should a child get involved, injury is likely.
Talk with your children about the dos and don’ts of playing with dogs like German Shepherds. Kids should avoid petting unfamiliar animals and stick with gentle touches on the dogs back rather than putting hands near the face or mouth. Keep children away from dogs when they’re eating, as they can get aggressive when they believe their food is being threatened. Keep young children away from big dogs altogether, especially if the pets haven’t spent much time around kids.
Virginia Dog Bite Lawyers
A dog bite is a devastating experience, especially when the victim is a small child. Sadly, many of the people that we represent are innocent children. If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attacked that was caused by someone else’s negligence, we may be able to help you. Contact us today at 877-544-5323 to setup a free consultation to discuss your situation.
