National Dog Bite Prevention Week® is April 7-13, 2024 and it’s time to refresh your knowledge about dog bite risk factors, how to avoid an attack, and what to do if it happens. Plus, get info on who can help if you or someone in your family is bitten.
Knowing the Risks
“Man’s best friend” may have a great reputation for companionship and hard work, but dogs are actually the third deadliest animal to humans, preceded only by mosquitoes and snakes according to online data resource Statista. It’s important to understand the power dogs hold and what can happen if they lose their cool and attack.
Here are some things to avoid:
- Intact dogs. Steer clear of unneutered males and intact females, as they can be more territorial and aggressive than neutered dogs. If you have a dog, be sure to have it neutered as soon as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Lonely or abused dogs. Dogs are social creatures and have a deep desire to belong. Avoid dogs that are left alone frequently, kept in a cage, tied up outside, or outright abused since they are more likely to snap in a stressful situation.
- Sick or injured dogs. If you know that a dog is ill or has an injury, it’s best to stay away unless you’re the one taking care of the animal. Like abused dogs, pups that are hurt or aren’t feeling well have lower distress tolerance and may become aggressive more easily.
Planning Ahead
If you know you’ll be coming into contact with a potentially dangerous dog, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and try to avoid it if at all possible.
For example, if you normally pass by a dog that is chained up in their yard when walking home from work, you might consider finding a different route or driving home instead. Or if you’re a home services contractor, ask clients with dogs to keep their animals confined until the service is complete.
If you’re unsure of whether a dog is safe or not, or you’ll be coming into contact with an unfamiliar dog, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and treat the dog as though they could potentially harm you.
Training Your Dog
Dog owners have a responsibility to socialize and train their animals so the risk of attack is low. In the event that you own one or more dogs, it’s crucial to train them using best practices.
You can ask your veterinarian or local dog groomer for trainers and classes in your area, however, most big-box pet stores also offer them on a regular basis. While training is most effective when started young, the majority of older dogs can also be trained when using the right techniques.
It’s also important to know your dog’s body language and to keep it safe from known triggers and stressors that could cause the animal to become upset and more likely to bite. If you’re in a situation where your dog is becoming agitated, it’s your responsibility to get the animal to safety as quickly as you can.
Responding After an Attack
While “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” as the old saying goes, not every dog bite can be avoided. Sometimes attacks occur without any warning and for seemingly no reason at all. If this happens, it’s important to do two things:
- Get medical care. Even if a dog bite isn’t painful or doesn’t seem that bad, it can quickly become infected without antibiotics. Every dog bite requires at least a doctor’s visit.
- Get legal help. Medical bills and time out of work add up fast. A qualified dog bite lawyer can help you recover compensation for any damages you incurred.
Filing a Claim
In both Massachusetts and New Hampshire, dog owners are strictly liable for any harm their animal causes. This means that even if the owner didn’t know that their dog was aggressive or had no reason to suspect the animal would attack, they are still responsible for the financial damages their dog caused.
By filing a dog bite claim, you can potentially recover money to pay for medical treatment, replace wages you lost from being out of work, or funeral costs if your loved one died as a result of the attack. No matter what your situation, we can help. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation by calling (978) 744-8000 or toll-free at (855) 693-9084.
