The holidays are over and many families found that Santa left a little, furry puppy under their Christmas tree. With new canines in homes across the state, it’s a good time to review some facts and safety tips about dog bite accidents in New York and elsewhere. According to the American Humane Association, there are almost 5 million dog bite accidents in the United States every year. Of these accidents, roughly 800,000 require professional medical attention.
Believe it or not, about a quarter of all dig bite accidents involve chained dogs. The sex of the dog also makes a significant difference in the risks of a dog bite incident. More than 90 percent of fatal dog bites involve male dogs. Of these male dogs, nearly 95 percent are not neutered.
Our New York dog bite accident attorneys understand that nearly 70 percent of all these incidents happen on the victim’s property. Most victims of dog bites actually know the dog. So while you think you’re safe around familiar dogs, it’s important to remember that they can strike at any time. Of the injuries sustained in dog bite accidents, over 70 percent of them happen to a victim’s extremities, including the hands, legs, feet and arms.
These accidents are quite costly, too! Every year, insurance companies hand out more than a billion dollars for these types of claims every year. There are tons more that are never make it to the insurance agencies too. So the yearly cost is actually estimated to be much higher.
Children are highly vulnerable to dog bite injuries. Our young ones may not fully understand how to safely interact with them. For this reason, they’re unable to identify a dog’s agitated mood.
Dog Bites and Children:
-About half of all dog bite incidents involved people under the age of 12.
-About half of all dog bite incidents involved people under the age of 10.
-Dog bite rates are significantly higher among children ages 5- to 9-years-old.
-More than 80 percent of dig bite accidents that are treated in emergency rooms involve children who are under the age of 15.
-Nearly 70 percent of the dog bites that occur to children happen to the neck and head.
-Boy children are more likely to be bitten by a dog than girl children.
It’s important to teach children how to act with dogs. It’s also advised that you never leave a child alone with a dog. Everyone is urged to let a dog be when it’s eating or caring for pups. You never want to approach a dog that you don’t know. Lastly, if you come across a dog that is unsupervised and unfamiliar, contact the local police or animal control.
If you or someone you love has been bitten by a dog in the New York City area, rely on the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose for help. Call 718-261-0546 for a free consultation. Serving Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and Rockland counties.
More Blog Entries:
Preventing New York dog bites this holiday season, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, December 18, 2010
