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Most dogs are instinctual chasers of moving objects.  A child running down the neighborhood or riding a bike is a thrilling object of pursuit. Dog experts believe that dogs see small children as prey. One simple way to reduce dog attacks is to always have your dog on a sturdy leash, while in public. Another reason for dog bites is if they are surprised or startled. They feel afraid and instinctually snap at whatever startled them, in order to protect themselves or their territory. This is why sometimes a dog, which is generally docile and friendly, may attack and bite. For instance, if a child runs up to a dog for an innocent pet, while it is sleeping or eating, the dog may attack. That’s why owners need to have their dogs behind strong fences, both to keep the dog on the property and to keep curious, friendly children from running to them. Dogs are also very possessive by nature; if they feel someone is going to take what they see as theirs, for instance their food, they may preemptively attack to protect their property. One way to prevent such incidents is for the owners not to feed their animals, while there are children around. In other situations, a child may see a small adorable puppy and attempt to pet or hold it. Unfortunately, a mama dog may see that as a threat to its baby and attack the child to protect its puppy. These kinds of incidents can be eliminated, simply by removing the mother dog from where a child is to meet or play with a puppy! 

1)   You should try to identify the dog, its owner or anyone else who had custody of the dog, when it attacked. Write down their names, addresses along with witnesses, if any.

2)   Take some pictures with your cell phone or ask someone else at the scene to do so, if safe. If the dog owner cannot be identified, you may be forced to undergo a series of rabies shots, which are very painful and expensive.

3)   If you are injured you should seek medical care as soon as possible, including calling 911 for help; if your injuries are severe.

4)   File a dog bite report right after you’ve been medically treated — even if the injury was minor — a properly filed report would put the dog owner on notice of its dangerous propensities and provide help to any future victims as well.

5)   Ask for the dog’s license information and any records pertaining to its previous history. For instance, has the dog bitten or attacked another person before?

6)   Keep record of your injuries, by taking photographs of injuries, bruises, torn or bloody clothes, etc.; keep a diary of course of treatment, expenditures, days off work, etc.

Legally and morally, owners are obligated to prevent their dogs and other animals from attacking people! Unfortunately, some owners do not pay enough attention to their dogs. Therefore, they attack, bite or even kill people. In such situations, the owner and/or custodian of the dog can be held liable civilly and criminally.
In California, for instance, owners are subject to substantial civil liability and possible criminal charges for attacks by their dogs. California laws allow a victim to file a lawsuit based on two Strict Liability causes of action arising out of a single attack—one created by legislated statute and the other from common law, which derives from the ancient code of Hammurabi, devised in the Middle East, several thousand years ago.  Unfortunately, the number of unprovoked attacks on people, especially children and joggers, are on the rise, nationwide. Criminal charges against dog owners have become more prevalent as well. In Michigan, for instance, an unsuspecting jogger was attacked by two dogs, which resulted in jogger’s death. The owners of the dogs were charged with Second-Degree Murder, which can impose a life sentence in Prison. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog or attacked by an animal, please call the Chosen Lawyers, right away. Your talk is free and confidential; the advice is sound and swift; and representation is powerful and passionate. Chosen Lawyers are ready to Protect Your Rights, the Right Way, Right Away.

Remember: What you don’t know about dog bites, could bite you harder in your pocketbook!