The third week in May is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, and Parrish Law Firm, PLLC would like to remind you of the potential danger that a dog can be to your children and others.
According to an article by the Associated Press, State Farm Insurance paid greater than $109 million on 3,800 dog bite claims throughout the United States in 2011, and paid $90 million in 2010.
The Insurance Information Institute has estimated that $479 million was paid in dog bite claims by all the insurance companies combine in 2011, up from $413 million in 2010.
The average cost per claim across the United States in 2011 was $28,799.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that approximately 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs yearly (greater than half of those are children), while around 800,000 seek medical treatment for the bites, but less than half actually require treatment. Around 16 people die every year from dog attacks.
Children ages 5-9 years are at the highest risk of experiencing a dog attack, while seniors are the second highest.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals predicts that nearly 50% of all children in the U.S. will have been bitten by a dog by their 12th birthday, and most bites will be from the family owned dog or a neighbor’s or friend’s dog.
Here are some tips provided by the ASPCA for youngsters to help prevent them from being attacked by a dog:
- Never stare into a dog’s eyes.
- Never tease a dog.
- Never approach a chained dog.
- Never touch an off-leash dog.
- Never run or scream if approached by a loose dog.
- Never play with a dog while it is eating.
- Never touch a dog while it is sleeping.
- If a loose dog comes close, children should stand very still and be very quiet.
- Always ask a dog’s owner for permission to pet it and let the dog sniff your closed hand before you start touching it.
If you or your child has been bitten by a dog, you need the experience of Parrish Law Firm, PLLC dog bite attorneys to get the compensation that you deserve. Please call us today at 703-906-4229, or email us now for a free case consultation.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form