Children and Dog Bites

Approximately 800,000 Americans seek some kind of medical attention every year due to a dog bite. Even worse, children make up about half of those 800,000 people injured by dog bites, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the United States, dogs biting children has become a serious issue. As more and more dog bite injuries occur in children, Alabama residents are beginning to realize the importance of educating the younger generation about the potential dangers of dogs.

Dogs are known as “man’s best friend” because of the love, affection, and companionship that they offer to their owner and family .However, with 4.5 million dog bites occurring each year, it is imperative to be aware of the potential danger that can occur. As such, those who live in Mobile and Baldwin counties must understand the serious risk involved in any interaction with a dog.

Citrin Law Firm has seen a large number of dog bite accident cases. In our years of experience with dog bite liability claims, we are knowledgeable and thorough in our investigation. In doing so, our personal injury lawyers are able to assess the claim, consult with expert resources, and negotiate with insurance companies in cases of dogs biting children. If your child has suffered any injuries following a dog bite attack, you may be entitled to compensation.

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Dogs Biting Children

The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that the most common dog bite injuries in children are found in those ages 5 to 9. When a child approaches a dog, their typical instinct is to bend down to pet the animal, showing affection and love. Nevertheless, dogs are unable to sense a stranger’s intentions, or even those intentions of people that they are familiar with. As a result, dogs are placed in a position where they switch into attack mode, not understanding that the child was simply trying to be friendly.

In addition to a child’s inability to recognize an unsafe situation or even predict when a dog is dangerous, parents must understand that the majority of dog bites come from familiar dogs. In fact, about half of the dogs biting children are neighbor and another 30 percent are family dogs. These statistics indicate that need to exercise serious caution when teaching your children dogs, dog safety, and the proper way to approach and interact with a dog.

If one of your children has been bitten by a dog, Citrin Law Firm is here to help. Our staff of personal injury attorneys is prepared to take on your case today!

Treating Dog Bites in Children

When a child bends down to innocently pet a dog, a parent’s worst nightmare is an attack. Unfortunately, however, accidents do happen and dogs do attack. With this knowledge, parents must be prepared in the event that a dog bite incident occurs. There are a variety of treatment suggestions that will help to ease your child’s pain, as well as calm them down.

The following first aid tips are suggested for dog bite injuries:

• Stop and control bleeding with a clean towel or cloth, applying mild pressure until the bleeding stops
• Use soap and water to thoroughly clean the wound, making sure all bacteria has been washed off
• Cover the wound with antibiotic ointment once dry and use a bandage to protect the area

The biggest concern in dog bite injuries is most certainly infection. As a result, parents must contact a physician if:

• the wound continues to bleed after 10 minutes
• you are unfamiliar with the attack dog
• the wound looks deep
• the bite is one the face or neck

Following these instructions will help to protect your child from potentially deadly dog bite diseases. As a general rule, seek medical attention if you have any doubt about the state of the child’s injury. Parents should always err on the side of caution when it comes to dogs biting children.

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Children Dog Bite Prevention

A dog is largely unpredictable. Even the most well trained animals have the ability to snap and attack at any given time. Due to this erratic behavior, parents must teach their children to exercise extreme caution in their interaction with dogs. The best way to protect your children from an attack is to educate them on the best methods of approaching dogs.

The following tips are helpful in preventing dogs biting children:

• Children should always ask permission before petting a dog
• Never approach a dog from the back
• Always pet the dog gently, slowly stroking the dog’s back or side
• Never pat a dog on the head
• Never hug or kiss a strange dog
• Eating or sleeping dogs must never be disturbed

Dogs historically attack out of nowhere. With this in mind, parents must recognize that supervision is the best method of prevention. Never allow your child to play with a dog without your supervision.

If your child has been attacked by a dog, our dog bite liability attorneys are here for you. With years of experience, Citrin Law Firm understands that this is a very sensitive issue. When a dog bites a child, the parent is naturally upset, angry, and flustered. Our staff is able to calm these parents’ nerves by ensuring that they are in good hands. We dedicate our time, energy, and resources to building a case that will seek justice for your innocent child.

To get started today, simply fill out a Free Case Review at your earliest convenience.