Dogs can make for wonderful pets. However, some dogs are aggressive and may bite you if they perceive you to be a threat.
The severity of the injuries you could sustain when a dog bites you will vary depending on numerous factors, such as a dog’s size, breed, etc.
It’s always wise to see a doctor after being bitten by a dog. This is true even if a bite was seemingly harmless. Although you may not notice any signs of injury, it’s possible for a dog bite to cause an infection.
Let a doctor take a close look at your bite to confirm no treatment is necessary. Be aware, that seeing a doctor right away after a dog bites you can also potentially improve your chances of recovering financial compensation later if you decide to file a claim or lawsuit against a negligent dog owner.
By seeing a doctor the same day you were bitten by the dog in question, you can more easily prove to an insurance company that the injuries for which you are seeking compensation directly resulted from this dog bite incident, and not a separate incident that occurred at another time. This will make it more difficult for an insurance company to justify denying your claim.
Of course, your primary goal is to avoid being bitten by a dog in the first place. Animal safety experts offer these tips for achieving this goal:
Get to Know Your Neighborhood
If you’ve moved into a new neighborhood, one of your top priorities may involve learning whether any of your neighbors own dangerous and aggressive dogs.
Various people can offer this information. Postal workers and delivery workers who operate in your area will likely know where aggressive dogs live. New neighbors who seem to have lived in the community for a reasonable amount of time can also answer questions you may have on this topic. Additionally, animal control might have records about where dog attacks have occurred in the neighborhood.
Stay Still & Look Down
Your natural impulse may be to run when a frightening dog approaches you. Of course, if you absolutely know you have the opportunity to step into your home, vehicle, or business before a dog can reach you, this may be your best option.
However, if you have nowhere to go, experts recommend doing something that might seem counterintuitive: standing still where you are, breaking eye contact with the dog, and looking down. This can signal to a dog that you are not a threat.
That said, you must exercise your own judgment in these situations. The information here, while based on the advice of the executive director of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, should not be misconstrued as official recommendations.
Just know that if a dog does bite you and causes injury, you can often take legal action to recover compensation for your medical bills and related losses. A Pittsburgh dog attack attorney at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman is prepared to review your case and help you better understand your legal options. Learn more about what we can do for you if you’ve been injured by an aggressive dog by contacting us online or calling us at 888-98-TWINS (89467).