Dog Attacks – How to Protect Yourself and Your Family
A child in Wyoming is being heralded a hero after placing himself in the line of danger to protect his sister from a dog attack. Six-year-old Bridger Walker put himself between his sister and the German Shepherd mix that was running to attack her. Bridger suffered multiple bite wounds to his face and received more than 90 stitches during a two-hour surgery. The dog belonged to friends of the family, whose home was the scene of the attack.
Frequency of Dog Bites
A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the US each year. Around 800,000 of those require medical attention. That means that dog bites occur in 1 out of 73 people.
Why Do Dogs Bite?
There are various reasons why dogs bite:
- Reaction to stressful environment or situation
- If they feel threatened
- To protect puppies or their owners
- If they are abused
- While playing
Children are susceptible to dog bites since they do not understand the signals a stressed dog may be exhibiting. Since children are smaller, dogs who are stressed will consider them an easier target.
How to Protect Against a Dog Bite
If you are visiting a home with a dog, closely monitor your child. Even if the owner says the dog is not aggressive, the situation could change quickly. Tell your child to stay away from the dog’s head and to not approach rapidly from behind. Other ways to avoid an attack are:
- Do not run from a dog or panic
- Remain motionless if an unfamiliar dog approaches you
- Do not disturb a dog while it is sleeping or eating
- Allow a dog to sniff you before attempting to pet it
- Do not play aggressively with the dog
By following the above advice, you can reduce your chances of a dog bite. But even when all of the proper steps are followed, a dog bite can occur. If you or a family member has been the victim of a dog attack, you should know that there is a time limit to seek damages. For a free evaluation of your case, contact CFJ Injury Lawyers today to schedule a consultation. Our experienced team will work hard to help restore your peace of mind after this trauma.
Posted on behalf of CFJ Injury Lawyers