Americans love dogs. While that’s generally seen as a positive, there are negative aspects to this cultural reality. There are approximately 75 million ‘family’ dogs living with humans in the United States, and while the vast majority of them are safe, well-trained and not a threat to people, the number of dog bite cases in the United States is nothing short of staggering. When someone is attacked by a dog randomly, one of the first outlets for help should be a call to an Phoenixdog bite lawyer. Below is an overview of the issue, including some relevant statistics and advisable safety precautions.
Dog Bite Statistics
Overall, there are almost 5 million cases of dog bites in the United States every year. Many of the injuries inflicted are minor but some are serious, but that doesn’t mean that those who are harmed in this manner should not seek help to enforce their legal rights. In fact, almost one million dog bite cases require some sort of medical attention. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a typical American faces a 1 in 50 chance of being bitten by a dog in any given year. When one take a closer look at the statistics regarding fatal dog bites as they are broken down by breed, the results should not come as a surprise.
- Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios and mixes of these breeds are responsible for almost 3/4 of dog attacks.
- These breeds are responsible for more than 2/3 of the attacks on children and more than 80% of the attacks on adults.
- Approximately 70% of these dog bite cases involve the first instance of violence exhibited by the dog in question.
These statistics are taken from a study performed by Merritt Clifton, editor of Animal People. The conclusion also states that dog bite cases are responsible for approximately $1 billion in overall financial loss every year.
Safety Precautions to Consider in Regards to Dog Bites
Almost anyone who moves around in the United States on foot will encounter at least one dog on a regular basis. There are a few steps that anyone could take to help minimize the chances that an attack will occur. Below are a few suggestions:
- If you see a dog with the owner and you encounter the dog regularly, ask the owner to be introduced. Dogs are less likely to attack a familiar person.
- If you do not know the owner of a dog and do not see him or her when you encounter a dog, do not approach the dog.
- Calmly avoid coming to close to a dog if you have not seen it before.
- If a dog confronts you, do not run, but rather move as quickly but as calmly as possible to a position of safety. Dogs sense fear and could react to a sudden movement.
- If you see a dog that’s loose and are not familiar with it, get to safety inside your home and call animal control.
In addition, if you or someone you love has been harmed by a dog, you need to take legal action to make sure that the dog in question does not harm anyone else. Contact the Arizona dog bite lawyers at Phillips Law Group today to schedule a free initial consultation.
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