Children and Dog Bites

Owning a dog can be a very rewarding experience, and the companionship of a dog can enrich the life of a dog owner and his or her family. Unfortunately, it is a reality that sometimes dogs bite people, and can cause severe injury. This is particularly true of children. Children are less likely than adults to know how to behave around a dog, and are much more susceptible to injury. Even a small dog may be nearly as large as a child, and able to cause significant injury. In addition to the physical injury, dog bites may be a terrifying experience for a child, with the potential for lifelong emotional stress; children who are bitten by dogs may experience lifelong fear of all dogs, depression, and other emotional concerns. If your child is bitten by a dog, make sure that the child’s physical and emotional well-being is attended to, and then speak with a Denver dog bite attorney to discuss your options.

As a parent, there are things that you can do to help minimize the chances that your child will be bitten by a dog. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has some safety tips for children, such as:

• Do not approach a dog you don’t know

• Stand still when approached by a dog you don’t know

• If a dog knocks you over, roll into a ball and lie still

• Don’t play with a dog if there are no adults around

• Don’t look a dog in the eyes

• Stay away from dogs that are eating, sleeping, or taking care of puppies.

• Let any dog see you and sniff you before you try to pet it

• If you see a stray dog, tell an adult right away

• If any dog bites you, tell an adult right away

The best way to prevent dog bites to children may be education-based prevention, but unfortunately, they will always happen in some degree. It is important to remember that dog owners do have a responsibility for the safety of other people in the presence of their dogs.

Keith Fuicelli is a Denver dog bite lawyer who takes the responsibility of dog owners seriously, and is committed to protecting children who have been bitten by dogs whose owners allowed them to be in a dangerous situation. A dog owner who is negligent in restraining his or her dog may cause injury to other children as well. If your child has been bitten by someone’s dog, you need a responsible, experienced dog bite attorney who can protect your legal rights while you care for the physical and emotional health of your child. For more information and a FREE CONSULTATION, contact Keith at (303)355-7202.