Preventing Holiday Dog Bites!

The holiday season is a time for celebrating and visiting family and friends. While relatives may be excited about this special time of the year, the family pet may not find these events and gatherings pleasant. Noise, changes to their environment, and unfamiliar faces are stressful to some dogs and they may become irritated and agitated enough to bite.
 
One cannot look at an individual dog, recognize its breed, and then judge whether or not it is going to attack. Any individual dog may be a wonderful, loving pet, even though its breed may be considered potentially dangerous. A responsible owner can win the love and respect of a dog, no matter its breed.
 
Here are 5 danger-facts that warn of a possible dog bite attack. Knowing them can keep you and your children safe.

• Beware of a dog in its own yard, with no owner present. According to   www.dogbitelaw.com, in 2008 78% of human fatalities due to dog attacks were by dogs in their own yard.

• Common dangerous dog breeds are Pit bull, Rottweiler, Akita or Chow. Most fatal dog attacks are by pit bulls. Again, keep in mind that any dog treated harshly or trained to attack, may bite a person. 

•  Stay away from unattended multiple dogs in a pack. Normally calm and docile dogs can  often become uncharacteristically violent and vicious when they are in a pack. 

•  Dogs that are tied up can become aggressive. Male dogs that are not neutered are several times more dangerous than female dogs. 

•  According to www.dogbitelaw.com, a new dog in the house can be dangerous for the first 60 days, and a person who is new to a household where a dog resides can be in danger of attack for the first 60 days as well. 

The presence of any one of the above factors may indicate impending danger. Two or more of these danger-signs should be avoided if possible. While some dog bite injuries can be simply minor, others can be quite severe.  A dog attack can result in everything from puncture wounds, lacerations and scars, to rabies – even death.

If you or your child has been the victim of a dog bite, you may be entitled to collect compensation for your injuries.  Whether it be medical costs, pain and suffering, scarring, or even property damage, having a lawyer on your side can help you determine the type of claim you need. Call Attorneys Gonzalez & Cartwright at (888)-888-3903 for information or to make an appointment for a free consultation or visit www.gonzalezcartwright.com.