Dog Bite Information Center

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, children ages five to nine years old are at the highest risk experiencing a dog bite injury. Most children are bitten in the face or neck area, and the medical, emotional and psychological problems involved are often more serious.

Protecting Your Children from Dog Bites

Legal action can be a good way to hold the responsible parties accountable for the pain and medical bills caused by a dog bite. Under Arizona laws, dog owners, insurance companies and landlords may all be held accountable — depending on the circumstances surrounding your dog bite.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the majority of dog bite victims are children. While even the most docile animal may bite and predicting when and if a dog may attack can be impossible, there are certain measures you can take to protect your children from dog bites. If you or a loved one have been bitten or attacked by a dog, contact Solomon & Relihan in Phoenix, Arizona for more information about the possibilities for your case.

Preventing Dog Bites

There are some simple steps you can take to help protect your family from a dog bite. These include:

Do not approach strange or unfamiliar dogs outside, tied up, in a car or anywhere else you may find them
Do not disturb or approach dogs that are sleeping, eating or nursing puppies
Do not chase, tease, run away from or yell at dogs
Do not stare a strange dog in the eyes - this can be mistaken as a threat by the dog
Always ask an owner's permission before petting his or her dog
Always let a dog smell your hand before petting it
Never leave babies or young children alone with dogs
If you are approached by an unknown dog, do not yell or run, but stand very still and allow the dog to smell you
If you see a dog behaving strangely, report it to your community's animal control or humane society immediately

Dog Owners: Stopping Your Dog from Biting

While there is no way to guarantee that your family pet will not bite, there are certain measures you can take to decrease the possibility, such as:

Have your pet spayed or neutered, especially males
Socialize your dog from a young age with other dogs and people
Enroll in training or obedience classes for your new puppy or dog
Do not tease or play aggressively with your dog
Never abuse or harm your dog
Teach your children how to treat your dog respectfully
Do not allow your dog to roam free outside - fence in the yard
Maintain the health of your dog, including vaccinating your dog for rabies and other diseases
Provide your dog with lots of attention and care - dogs left chained or confined outside the majority of the time are more likely to feel vulnerable and react aggressively to people

Conclusion

A dog bite can have serious consequences for the health and well-being of your family. An experienced attorney can explain your available legal remedies and help you make the best decision for your situation. Contact Solomon & Relihan in Phoenix, Arizona to learn more about your state's dog bites laws and your options for recovery.

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.

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