Statistics show that approximately 50% of all reported dog bite injuries involve canines that are owned by the victim or by neighbors of the victim and that a majority of those injured by dogs are small children under five years old who, because of their size, experience the most serious injuries and frequently require hospitalization as a result of the bite.

Dog bites that pierce the skin always carry with them the risk of infection and the deeper the wound the greater the risk. Additionally although most dogs that are domesticated have up-to-date rabies inoculations, rabies infection is still always a concern when any animal bites a human.

Tetanus is another possible complication caused by dog bites. Although the microbe that causes tetanus exists primarily in the upper layers of the soil and the long digestive tracts of domesticated farm animals like horses and cows, dogs may also have this microbe in and around their mouth and expose the humans that they bite to the reduced oxygen flow of the surrounding tissue that tetanus produces.

The results of a serious dog bite injury are clearly devastating both physically and financially and it is important for victims to realize that dog owners are legally liable to take all reasonable measures to protect the public from damages or injury caused by their pet. This reasonable care takes the form of using appropriate restraints such as a leashes and muzzles, warning others of any potential danger from their pet and training their animal properly so that it will not behave inappropriately aggressively. Additionally, pet owners are legally obligated to make sure all of their animals are up-to-date in their shots.

If a dog owner can be proven negligent in the duties listed above and that the negligence caused or exacerbated the situation that led to the dog bite injury, then you as the victim can be fairly sure of getting fair compensation for your damages. However, receiving fair compensation does require work in the form of proper documentation of the accident and injury and of any costs and difficulties which ensued as a result. It is best to both inform the police immediately of the incident and to speak with an experienced dog bite injury lawyer as soon as possible. Do not offer opinions or make any confessions of fault to the police or any insurance company before you speak with a lawyer.