Children, as we know, are the most vulnerable of our population. Parents and close family members do all they can to ensure that their children are protected at all times. This includes when their children are around animals. Yet, people get really comfortable around animals and sometimes even too comfortable with animals that they aren’t familiar with. Children are at a higher risk of serious injuries or fatalities than adults. Children who are under the age of 15 make up for 60% of those who are bitten by dogs. Children from ages 5-9 are the most vulnerable. Children are unable to understand a dog’s signs of fearfulness, aggression, or attack. Because of this, they are more likely to engage with dangerous dogs at a young age than as an older teen or adult. This means that parents need to take extra precautions with their children around animals and learn to read the animals for them.
Dog Bite Injuries
There are about 800,000 bites every year in the nation that require some form of medical attention. A study broke down this number into smaller increments and discovered that every day there are 2,400 dog attacks that break down further to an attack happening every 36 seconds. Children have the highest percentage of needing to get medical attention. The CDC has suggested that dog attacks are a greater health concern than measles, mumps, and whooping cough. This speaks to the commonality of dog attacks on our youth.
The most common injuries for a dog bite are a puncture wound, lacerations, deep bruising, and scarring. Unfortunately, when these kinds of serious injuries happen to a child they more likely to suffer more damage and maybe even succumb to their injuries they sustained. Children not only suffer significantly from physical damage but also emotional trauma. A child who is attacked by a dog at a young age can form post-traumatic stress disorder which interrupts a child’s academic and emotional growth. It can interrupt their sleeping and therefore negatively influence the playtime or sports time. If your child was attacked by a dog then you are looking at medical bills as well as psychological bills too.
What To Do
In the Pittsburgh area, it is not uncommon to hear of dog bites. Unfortunately, this story was of a 9-year-old boy who was playing in the neighborhood was tracked down by a dog who chased him to his home where he was scratched and bitten. You can never be too careful with your children and the neighborhood animals. Just because you keep your animal in controlled spaces doesn’t mean that other people are just as responsible as you.
If you or someone you love has been attacked by a dog then you have the right to receive compensation for the injuries that you or your loved one has sustained. The dog owner is responsible for the dog and you deserve financial compensation for all the medical or psychological bills because of their neglect of the owner. Call 888-98-TWINS(89467) at SSF Law Group today.