Updated on: 11/19/2019
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States every year. Of those who are bitten, more than 800,000 receive medical attention for a dog bite, approximately half of which are children.
What is perhaps more unsettling is the overall cost of bite claims. According to a recent report from the Insurance Information Institute, dog bites cost the industry $478.9 million in 2011, an increase of approximately 16 percent from the $412.6 million in 2010. The average cost per claim also increased 12 percent to $29,396. What may surprise people is that a majority of dog bites and animal attacks affecting young children involve familiar dogs during normal, everyday activities. There are many factors that contribute to a dog bite, some of which are unavoidable.
However, there are some things that adults can do to reduce the likelihood of adults and children alike from being injured by a dog bite.
Start With The Pup
Owning a dog can be a very exciting experience. Unfortunately, dog owners can get caught up in that excitement without realizing the importance of teaching their new friend how to behave in social environments. Dedicating extra time to train a young dog to interact with other dogs and people is invaluable and can reduce the likelihood of an injury to an innocent bystander, as well as a lawsuit for the owner.
Many experts suggest that exposing young dogs to social environments, such as dog parks and family gatherings, teaches them to interact casually with both other dogs and people and therefore reduces the chances of a bite.
Talk To Your Kids
Typically dog owners are held liable if dog bites occur, but parents should be aware that they can also help with prevention. Certain dogs have behavioral issues and are more aggressive, but in many cases children simply irritate the dog by roughhousing and even hitting, and the dog bites back in retaliation.
Children are innocent in these situations, as they often don’t know any better and are just naturally playing with the animal. But it is important for parents to educate their children about what is acceptable behavior and what is not acceptable. Since children are the most affected and most at risk of dog bites, parents cannot be too cautious or active in preventing them from occurring in the first place.
Know The Law
Dog owners need to completely understand the laws related to dog bites in the state they live. Laws can be confusing and vary from state-to-state, and it is important for dog owners to fully understand their liability in the event of a dog bite, especially if the dog bite causes injury to a child.
