While dog bite incidents between strangers and dogs are relatively rare, pedestrians, joggers and bicyclists know all too well the problem of finding themselves suddenly under siege, snapped-at or bitten, by a loose, aggressive dog. Much more common are dog bite incidents involving family members, neighbors, or friends in a familiar home setting, with children running the highest risk for a dog bite injuries. Whether a dog bites a passerby or lunges at someone in the home, it is easy to point the finger at the dog, but all too often it’s dog owner’s negligence that is to blame and it is the owner who is held responsible.
The Dog Ownership Journey
While many start out thinking that dog ownership will be fun, most realize pretty quickly that it is also is a huge responsibility that requires a lot of work and infinite patience. With that in mind, it is important to keep only the number and type of pets that one can provide a high level of attention to while providing adequate shelter, food, healthcare, and loving companionship – a commitment that can span more than a decade when choosing a dog. Owners who are not attuned to or are unable to provide their dogs the attention and care they need absolutely run the risk of unexpected behaviors which may include aggression.
Preventing Stranger Dog Bites
Not only do dog owners have a responsibility to care for, train and socialize their dog, they also have a responsibility to others who may come into contact with their dog. Many city ordinances, for example, requires dog owners to restrain their dogs with a protective fence or by a leash restraint when the dog is not within 6 feet of the owner and is not the “one in a million dogs” that is immediately obedient to voice command. This is a good place to start when outside to prevent injuries to a passersby, but what about inside the home?
Dog Safety in the Home
When family members or visitors are in the home, dog owners who have actively socialized their dog and have provided training will often be able to discern how their dog is feeling around children or others in the home and act accordingly. If there are any doubts, or just to play it absolutely safe, providing a secure “away space” for a dog to escape the prodding hands of a child or reduce a dog’s anxiety around visitors, is always best practice.
Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer for Help
While new dog owners quickly understand that a dog is work and fun rolled into one, and that the responsibility rests squarely on their shoulders not only to care for their dog, but also protect all animals and people in their dog’s orbit, there are always owners who are negligent. When someone sustains a serious dog bite injury because of an owner’s negligence, seeking damages for medical bills, lost wages, disfigurement and scarring as well as damages for pain and suffering is their right. If you or a family member has been a victim of a Quad Cities dog attack, contact the Davenport dog bite injury lawyers of McDonald, Woodward & Carlson PC for help today. at 563-355-6478.