National Dog Bite Prevention Week – May 17-23

dog bite attorney dog with muzzle

dog bite attorneyNational Dog Bite Prevention week was established to educate people in ways of preventing dog bites. There are 70 million dogs in this country. Most are friendly and have no history of biting. Unfortunately, even the friendliest dogs can bite. There are also extremely dangerous dogs whose tendency to bite or attack is often caused by abuse or illness. This year, National Dog Bite Prevention Week takes place during the week of May 17 through May 23.

The majority of dog bites involve children. It is easy to understand why. Small children simply do not comprehend the boundaries that some dogs need. They also rarely understand warning cues from a dog, such as growling or snarling. Almost all dog bites involving children are preventable. Supervision is key. Regardless of how well-behaved or tolerant you think a dog is, a small child should never be left unsupervised with a dog. By heeding this advice, you are protecting the child and the dog. When a dog bites a child, even if that dog was mercilessly provoked, it will likely be euthanized. Therefore, always provide supervision if you have a dog and a small child is visiting your home.

Dog Bite Statistics

The following eye-opening statistics illustrate the severity of this problem – and how easily dog bites can be prevented:

  • According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), dog bites were the ninth leading cause of non-fatal injury in children ages five to nine from 2003-2012.
  • According to the Insurance Information Institute, national insurers paid more than $483 million in dog bite claims in 2013.
  • The American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimated that 26,935 procedures were performed in 2013 to repair damage caused by dog bites.
  • According to the U.S. Postal Service, 5,581 postal employees were victims of dog attacks in 2013.
  • A report by the American Humane Association stated that 66% of bites involving children occurred in the head and neck.

Small children, the elderly, and postal workers are most susceptible to dog bites (in that order). Dog bites claim more victims than measles, mumps, and whooping cough, combined. In fact, dog bites account for approximately 5% of annual ER visits. Education is key in preventing dog bites. If you own a dog, you should do so responsibly. If your dog has a tendency to bite or nip, the dog should not only always be on a leash when outdoors, but should be muzzled as well. Follow safety tips and share this information with others.

If You’ve Been the Victim of a Dog Bite, Contact Us

If you have suffered a dog bite, you have likely incurred substantial costs such as medical bills and time off work. You don’t have to go through this alone. Jeffrey Harlan Penneys, Esq. “The Dog Bite Lawyer,” has successfully obtained compensation for countless clients. He is a dog bite attorney and he knows how to fight for your rights. If you’ve been injured, time is of the essence. Call 215-987-3550 (office) or 215-771-0430 (cell), or fill out our online contact form today.

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