According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), there are nearly 90 million pet dogs in America. While most pet owners are responsible, some are neglectful and promote an environment for dog attacks. Although some dog bites can be minor, they can be costly and dangerous occurrences. In fact, out of the nearly five million dog bites that happen annually, over a million require medical attention. Dog attacks can result in serious injury or even death in some cases. Dog bites can be particularly dangerous for children, as they have less facilities to defend themselves.
If you or a loved one recently experienced a dog attack, you should consider contacting an Erie dog attack attorney. While it may be a difficult decision, especially considering dog attacks commonly involve friends or associates, you may be entitled compensation to help you with costly medical bills and damages. With over 170 years of combined experience, attorneys at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman understand the difficulty in your decision and will take an empathetic and understanding approach to your case.
Dog attack statistics help communicate the severity of dog attack statistics. For example, a dog attack victim receives medical attention every minute in America. This statistic might increase if dog attacks were reported more commonly. It is estimated that around 75 percent of dog attacks go unreported. This might be due to the fact that more than half of all dog attacks involve dogs owned by family or friends.
While some dog attacks are unavoidable, there are some safety precautions you can take to increase safety during a dog attack or avoid one altogether. For starters, you should never approach an unfamiliar dog. If an unfamiliar dog approaches you, do not engage with it. Allow it to sniff you and do not attempt to pet it. If the dog shows signs of aggression, do not make eye contact, try to run, or attack the dog. Try to turn away from the dog and slowly move away from the dog. If the dog knocks you to the ground, assume the fetal position and try to protect your head and neck area.
Pennsylvania is a strict liability state. This means that dog owners are to be held liable for injuries caused by a dog attack if there was no provoking by the other party. This holds up even if the dog does not have a history of aggression.
Some dogs are considered to be dangerous by the state. A dog is considered dangerous if an unprovoked dog previously injured a person or animal. A dog can also be considered dangerous if it was involved in the execution of a crime.
No matter the situation, you should treat a dog attack as serious as any personal injury. You should contact an Erie dog attack attorney. Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman attorneys have experience dealing with a variety of dog attack claims and know how to handle dog attack cases with grace and success. Contact Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman for a free consultation.