Personal Injury Attorneys - Dog Bite

Serving all of Pennsylvania

This week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week and the personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Michael J. O’Connor & Associates, L.L.C. want to take this opportunity to share with you some facts, tips and strategies relevant to protecting yourself and your loved ones from the all too common occurrence of dog bites.

Did you know that each year in the U.S. alone, an estimated 5 million people are bitten by dogs? That is fully 2% of the population. About 800,000 of these people require medical attention as the result of the bite or attack, and about 15-20 die from their injuries. Based on these numbers, we feel it is important to make our clients and their friends and family members aware of ways to prevent dog bites.

Below are 8 specific steps to keep in mind when you are around a dog.

If you don’t know a dog, keep your distance. It is very common that a dog will act protective of his space and therefore, if you transgress into his territory, you are just asking to be bitten.
Don’t try to touch a dog before he has had a chance to warm up to you. Warming up is a process. The dog may want to sniff you or approach you slowly. Let him do that before you even think about touching him. Otherwise, he may bite you in self-defense.
Be gentle. Sometimes children want to jump right in and play rough with a dog. This is a mistake. Playing roughly with a dog will cause him to become excited and he may bite you in the midst of the confusion.
Don’t disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, chewing on a bone or taking care of puppies. This is an invitation to being bitten.
Pay attention to a dog’s demeanor. If he seems mad, growls, bears his teeth, or snarls, you should know to stay away.
Don’t run from a dog. If you turn and run from a dog, whether in fear or fun, he may instinctively chase you as he would prey. Instead, you should stand your ground with an unfamiliar dog that appears even moderately aggressive. Once the situation is diffused, turn slowly and walk away without looking back.
Don’t do anything that may cause a dog to feel that you are challenging him. This could be as simple as looking a strange dog right in the eye. Instead, look indirectly at him but keep him in your peripheral vision.
Teach your children these strategies and never leave them alone with a strange dog.

At the Law Offices of Michael J. O’Connor, L.L.C., we see the unfortunate results of what can happen when a strange dog is not treated with the proper precautions. It is our sincere desire that you will not only become more aware of how to prevent a serious incident with a dog but that you will also help to make your family and friends aware of ways to prevent being bitten by a dog.

If, however, you are bitten and require medical attention, we suggest that you call our offices and speak to one of our legal representatives to ensure that your rights are adequately protected. We can be reached at 570-874-3300 or toll free at 1-800-518-4LAW.

The personal injury attorneys at Michael J. O'Connor & Associates is ready to begin tackling your legal problem today. Email or call our toll free number at 1.800.518.4LAW for a free initial consultation and review of your case.

Print this page Email us today