Call 850-434-3333
Free Consultations LET'S TALK

Dog bite injuries

On behalf of Terence Gross of Gross & Schuster, P.A. posted in Animal Bites on Thursday, November 20, 2014.

Florida residents might be taken aback by the prevalence of dog bite incidents in the United States. According to a study by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, dog bites affect approximately 4.5 million people throughout the country annually. Moreover, the CDC estimates that roughly 885,000 of those victims, or about 20 percent, required medical treatment.

Among all dog bite victims, 50 percent are children between the ages of five and nine, reportedly. Another interesting fact, as reported by the CDC, is that almost 30,000 individuals who were bitten in 2012 underwent reconstructive surgery. According to statistics, adults who have at least two dogs living with them inside their home are five times more likely to be bitten when compared with those who do not own dogs.

People can avoid dog bites be taking a certain precautions, authorities say. Although a person can be bitten by any breed of dog, there are some dogs that have proven themselves to be more apt than other breeds to live with a family. Seeking advice from a veterinarian, animal shelter worker or a knowledgeable dog breeder may help individuals select the type of dog that would be compatible with their particular circumstances. It is also a good idea for potential dog owners and their families, especially small children, to get to know a dog before bringing it home.

It may also be beneficial to try to mitigate aggressive tendencies in a dog. One way to do this is to have the dog neutered or spayed. Other ways include avoiding roughhousing with the dog while playing and training the dog to behave calmly in the home.

Individuals who have suffered serious injuries from a dog bite might have grounds to file a personal injury claim. If successful, these victims might be awarded compensation for damages associated with their bite-related injuries.

Source: CDC, “Dog Bites“, November 14, 2014

Get Answers Contact Us Now No pressure. Speak to an attorney. No Hidden fees.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Come See Us Our Locations
Main Office:
Pensacola, FL

803 N Palafox St.
Pensacola, FL 32501
Phone: 850-434-3333

Start Live Chat? yes No