Dog Bites and Other Domestic Animal Attacks
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Dogs, and other domesticated animals, are largely governed by instincts that cause them to revert to their historically more dangerous nature when threatened or provoked.
Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, and are for the most part friendly and companionable. Dogs, and other domesticated animals however, are largely governed by instincts that cause them to revert to their historically more dangerous nature when threatened or provoked.
There are hundreds of thousands of cases of dog bites in the United States annually, with many of the victims being young children. Younger victims may not know how to behave around dogs and other domesticated animals and are less able to defend themselves in case of attack.
Statistics
There are an estimated 74 million domesticated dogs in America. Dog bites account for roughly 360,000 emergency room visits each year. Actual attack numbers may be much higher, even up to half a million or more, since many people do not report the incidents, or are not treated in an emergency room. More than half of the reported personal injuries are sustained by the family's own pet.
The owners or keepers of dogs or other domestic animals that attack are ultimately responsible for their pets' behavior. Some of the factors that determine whether a dog will bite include:
· Dog breed – It seems that every ten years or so, a new dog breed is touted to be the type most disposed to attacking. The current dog breed with a bad reputation is the Pit Bull. Some breeds may be more disposed to attack or behave viciously, but it may be more a matter of training than the breed itself. There are numerous examples of friendly Pit Bulls nationwide.
· Level of Training – A trained dog is less likely to attack a person than a dog with minimal or no training at all. An untrained dog must rely on its instincts when interacting with people, often leading to dog bites or other attacks.
· Social Skills – Dogs that are not exposed to a variety of people and other animals do not learn the proper behavior when suddenly put in a social situation. They may revert to their instincts to protect themselves from perceived threats.
· Health of the dog – Sick dogs may attack to try to protect themselves if they feel that they are in danger. Some diseases like rabies affect the dog's brain, making them into a mad, vicious animal that will even attack its owner.
· Provocation – Dogs will resort to instinct if they are provoked in some way. Children who do not understand how to deal with animals are susceptible to attack because the inadvertently provoke them.
Although not as common, other domesticated animals like cats, snakes, weasels, and other pet bites may require emergency room treatment. Most other animals are not as trainable as dogs and rely more on instincts for self-preservation.
What to do in case of a bite
The first thing to do is to seek medical help. Even a small bite should be treated to prevent infection or tetanus from setting in. If at all possible, you should try to identify the type of dog, where it is located, and who the owner is. It is important to determine if the dog has rabies or some other disease that can be passed on to you.
Animal control should be notified in any dog bite injury. Typically, the emergency department will have the information necessary to file a report. It might be advisable to seek legal counsel before submitting a report to animal control to ensure that nothing you do restricts your rights in any way should you decide to file suit.
If possible, you should take pictures of the wound, the dog or animal that bit you, and the location of the attack. Write down any information you get about the owner of the animal involved. If possible, get the license number off the dog collar. In many cases, the owner's insurance company will try to contact you. It is important not to agree to anything or sign anything until you consult with a lawyer specializing in animal attack claims. You don't want to waive your rights inadvertently.
Any animal, even a friendly, domesticated pooch can attack. Use common sense when approaching an unknown animal. Even if you do not own a pet yourself, take time to teach your children how to treat animals with respect.
In Ohio, call or email <a href=http://www.rwklaw.com/>Robert W. Kerpsack Co., L.P.A.</a>, to schedule your free personal consultation.
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