Dog Bite Prevention
Every year, around 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the U.S. Many of these attacks occur in
Florida, which ranks among the top three states for the number of dog bite injury claims filed with
insurers. Besides being painful and dangerous, being bitten by a dog can also be expensive. In fact,
the average cost per dog bite injury claim in Florida is estimated to be nearly $45,000. While there
are steps that individuals can take to help prevent these kinds of attacks (we’ve included a few tips
below), even the most careful individual could end up the victim of an animal attack. In these cases,
injured parties may need to seek the help of an experienced Miami dog bite lawyer who can walk
them through their legal options.
Who is Most At Risk?
Although anyone can be bitten by a dog, certain individuals are more at risk than others. Children
between the ages of five and nine years old, for instance, are at the highest risk of dog bites. Children
are also more likely to be bitten on the head or neck than are other age groups. According to the
Florida Department of Health, the most common cause of dog bites (across all age groups) is
inappropriate behavior management, which includes:
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Interacting with a dog while it is eating;
Interacting with a dog while it is playing with a toy;
Roughhousing with an animal; or
Moving or touching a dog against its will.
In more than 70 percent of reported dog bite cases, these events happen while on the dog owner’s
property. Fortunately, parents with young children, as well as dog owners, can use this information
to help prevent animal attacks and dog bites.
Steps You Can Take
There are steps that we all can take to help prevent dog bites, including:
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Supervising children while they play with the animal;
Avoiding disturbing a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies;
Keeping away from unfamiliar dogs; and
Avoiding screaming around, or running away from, a dog.
For those who believe that they are about to be attacked, taking a few preventive measures could
make all the difference in avoiding a severe injury. Individuals who think that they are about to be
attacked by a dog, for instance, should consider placing something between themselves and the dog,
such as a bicycle or yard chair. Those who have already been knocked over by an animal are
encouraged to roll into a ball, cover as much of their faces as possible, and remain still until help
arrives. If bitten, a person should attempt to control the bleeding and wash the area with soap and
water as soon as possible.
Even those who use the greatest care in their interactions with animals could end up the victim of a
dog bite. In these cases, seeking compensation from the animal’s owner is often the only way to pay
for medical bills and make up for lost wages.