JENKINTOWN PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that over 800,000 people—half of them children—seek medical attention for a dog bite every year. The incidence of dog bite injuries is highest for children between the ages of five and nine. This statistic may surprise some who think that kids and dogs naturally go together.

Dogs bite children for a variety of reasons. Helping your children to understand these reasons will help keep them safe around dogs:

• The child may have hurt or scared the dog by stepping on it, poking it, or pulling its ears, paws, or tail.
• The child and dog are playing rough and the dog gets too excited.
• The dog thinks the child is prey because he or she is running around and screaming or riding quickly by on a bicycle.
• The dog may be trying to protect a resting place, its owner, the owner’s property, or a possession such as a toy, food bowl, or puppies.
• The dog may be old and unwilling to put up with the actions of a child.
• The dog may be sick or hurt.
• The dog may not have learned bite inhibition and may accidently bite too hard when offered food or a toy.

Dogs can be wonderful companions for children. However, children should always be supervised when they are around dogs and should learn to behave safely around them. If you or your child has suffered a dog bite and need help, contact an Allentown dog bite attorney at Mednick, Mezyk, and Kredo.  Our toll free number is 888-807-9675 and the case consultation is free. Give us a call today!