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Dog Bites

New York

We have all heard the adage, “Dogs are man’s best friend.” But is this always true? Although dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, they are governed by instincts that may cause them to revert to their historically more dangerous nature when they feel threatened or provoked. In the United States each year, there are hundreds of thousands of dog bites reported annually and several more that go unreported. When dogs attack, the result can be deadly.

Dog bites account for nearly 360,000 emergency room visits every year. This figure may be much higher, even up to half a million or more, since many people do not report the incidents or are not treated in an emergency room. Approximately 20 dog bite fatalities are reported each year.

Many dog bite victims are young children who unwittingly provoked the dog. Young victims do not always know how to behave around dogs and are less able to defend themselves in case of attack. The owner of the dog that attacked is ultimately responsible for its behavior. If you were bitten by a dog, you should seek legal counsel as soon after the attack as possible to ensure just compensation for your damages. There are statutes of limitations on dog bite cases, which vary from state to state. An experienced dog bite attorney can examine your case and determine if you have time to pursue a dog bite claim.

Provoking Factors in Dog Bites

Some of the factors that influence a dog bite include:

• Breed –Some breeds may be more predisposed to attack, and this is a topic of hot debate as many people believe it is the environment in which they grow up, not the breed, itself, that causes a dog to be vicious.
• Level of Training – A well-trained dog is less likely to attack a person than a dog with minimal or no training at all because untrained dogs rely on instincts when interacting with people.
• Social Skills – Dogs that are not exposed to a wide range of people and other animals do not learn how to behave when around people and/or other dogs.
• Health of the dog –Some diseases like rabies affect the dog's brain; rabies and other diseases can make an otherwise docile animal vicious.
• Provocation – Dogs will resort to instinct ifs they are provoked. A provoked dog can be deadly.

What to do After a Dog Bite

In case of a dog bite:

• Seek medical help. Even a small bite should be treated to prevent infection, tetanus, or other disease.
• Animal control should be notified in any dog bite injury.
• Record the details of the attack and keep any documents or records related to it.
• Consult an attorney from the Jacoby & Meyers, LLC

If you were bitten by a dog anywhere in the United States, the experienced dog bite attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers, LLC can help you. Please contact one of our offices to schedule a no-cost, confidential consultation.