Dog Bites in Children

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dog bites pose a greater risk on children’s health than measles, mumps, and whooping cough combined. The American Veterinary Medical Association states that children under 15 years of age are the most common victims, while boys between the ages of five and nine are the most frequent victims. Children account for almost 70 percent of dog bite injuries while they account 79 percent of fatal dog bite injuries.

Every resident of Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa or elsewhere around Maricopa County in Arizona, know hot temperatures year around is not unusual. And as residents head into spring, ’80s will quickly rise into the ’90s. A March 2009 issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery correlated dog bite-related injuries to rising temperatures. The dog bite-related injuries were found to be mostly children.

1-year olds hold the highest number of any age group under 12 for fatalities. They account for 19 percent of unsupervised fatalities. 2-year old children accounted for 11% of dog bit cases. 87 percent of those were fatalities left unsupervised.

Dog owners are legally responsible for the actions of their dogs. If someone else’s dog has injured you or someone you love, the owner is liable for your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If a dog in Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa or elsewhere in Maricopa County has bitten you, you should contact an experienced Arizona dog bite attorney to represent you.

Preventing Dog Bites For Children

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control suggest to prevent dog bites people should:

  • Do not wrestle or chase a dog
  • Do not play fetch games or hide n’ seek alone
  • Ask the dog’s owner for permission to touch a dog
  • Do not bother a dog that is eating
  • Do not be unsupervised with a dog

However, even if your child followed all of these precautions, a negligent owner’s dog can still bite you. If this happens, the owner should be held responsible and Arizona dog bite injury lawyer can help.

Common Location Bites on Children

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Magazine studied common bites on children. They found that the following were the most common locations for dog bites on children:

  • 34% Cheeks, Head, Neck
  • 8% Nose and ears
  • 21% Lips
  • The average dog bite would size was 7.15cm on multiple areas, with massive blood loss and trauma.

Effects of Dog Bites on Children

Contact an Arizona Dog Bite Attorney

If any of dog related injuries occur, fatal or not, the owner should be held responsible and Arizona dog bite injury lawyer can help. Even with prevention, dog bites and attacks occur. If you are unable to prevent a dog bite related injury and as a result, you or a loved one have been the victim of an attack, our Arizona dog bite injury lawyer can help get the compensation you deserve. For more information see www.azdogbitefirm.com.