Protecting Yourself against Dog Bites

There are a number of things that you can do to protect yourself from a dog bite. And protecting yourself is a good idea when it comes to being bitten by a dog or any animal for that matter.

Many dogs can carry disease, like rabies, that can be passed to humans. Even if a dog does not have a disease and the only thing that you suffer is a bite, that bite could be to a crucial part of your body like your face, hands or groin, all of which can lead to serious long-term injuries that can affect you both physically and mentally.

Some dogs can also be extremely strong, and people like children or the elderly can be bitten in a way that actually leads to a fatality. Just last summer, a 7 year old boy was fatally wounded after climbing over a fence and being confronted by a guard dog protecting the property.

Though fatal accidents involving dog bites are rare, they do occur. More common injuries sustained are ones like lacerations and cut wounds to the lower legs and ankles, or bites to the arms and hands.

Though there is no sure-fire way to protect yourself from a dog bite, there are a few things that you can do to limit your risk to being injured, and or, limit the risk of those around you.

  1. If a strange dog approaches you, do not, under any circumstances, attempt to befriend the animal. Instead, you should call animal control and report a lost dog.
  2. When in the presence of a dog, even one that is leashed and being controlled by their owner, do not show signs of fear like looking in the dogs eyes with apprehension. Dogs are able to sense these types of things in humans.
  3. Always do your best to stay a safe distance from fences or cages where dogs are being held.

Unfortunately even by being the most careful person, it is not always possible to prevent a dog bite from occurring. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog, first seek medical attention for your injuries, and then seek the assistance of a professional personal injury attorney that will help you get the fair compensation for your pain and suffering that you deserve.