The best offense is a good defense.
And while Slater & Zurz is always here for you when things go wrong, it’s up to you to arm yourselves with the information we provide.
By compiling this information into one easy-to-find place, we hope you will share it with your children and prevent a potential injury.
But, if you or your child are bitten or injured by a dog, our dog bite attorneys can help with that, too. You could be entitled to compensation for your injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and more.
Slater & Zurz has been helping Ohioans with dog bites and other injuries involving dogs for more than 30 years.
Dog Bites And Injuries Can Be Avoided
Each year, more than 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten or injured by dogs, and most are kids who didn’t know how to protect themselves.
Here are some tips we hope will help you prevent a dog from attacking or biting:
- Never pet a dog without asking the owner first;
- Never surprise or disturb a dog when it’s sleeping or eating;
- Don’t reach through or over a fence to pet a dog;
- Avoid unknown dogs;
- Never run away from a dog;
- Stop, be still, remain calm, and keep your arms and hands at your sides;
- Avoid direct eye contact with the dog;
- Do not yell or scream; be quiet;
- Watch the dog’s body language; flat ears can signify an attack;
- If a dog does attack, feed it something to chew on like a backpack, skateboard, or hat;
- If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball, cover your face, and lie still.
According to Nemours, a leader in children’s health, and their website kidshealth.org, here are several tips kids should know before interacting with a dog:
- Never squeeze dogs too tight, drop them, fall on them or jump on them;
- Never tease dogs or pull their tails or ears;
- Understand that dogs are territorial, so avoid violating their personal space;
- Approach with caution if a dog is tending to her puppies;
- Never take a toy or bone from a dog or play tug-of-war with a dog;
- Don’t feed a dog treats with your fingers; instead, put the treat in your palm with your fingers held close together;
- Never crowd a dog or back it into a corner.
Consider These Tips Before Getting A Dog
A veterinarian, dog breeder, or other animal professional can help you determine what kind of dog would best fit your family and household. Be sure to ask about the dog’s health needs because a healthy dog is a happy dog.
Ask experts about the breed’s temperament, aggression tendencies, or living needs. According to Nemours, all this will help in deciding which breed best fits your lifestyle and family. If your family has small children, consider breeds that mix well with them and always supervise their interactions.
If you already have a dog in your house, be sure to stay up to date on vet visits and diet requirements. Spaying or neutering can also have an impact on the animal’s energy levels. Nemours recommends obedience school to make the pet more social and less likely to be aggressive.
If A Dog Bite Happens
Even with all the preparation in the world, a dog is still a dog after all. If your child is bitten or injured, first get to the emergency room, especially if the dog is not yours because you may not know the dog’s immunization history. Even if the bite or injury seems minor, see a doctor. The injury could be more severe than you know, and bacterial infections could occur, according to Nemours.
In the event of a bite or injury, Nemours recommends having certain information ready for the doctor:
- Write down the name, location, and contact information of the dog’s owner.
- If possible, share the dog’s vaccination history.
- Knowing if an attack was provoked or unprovoked can help authorities in the event the dog needs to be removed from its home, or if the dog might be ill.
- Have your child’s immunization records and medical history on hand.
Dogs can also cause other injuries by jumping, scratching, or knocking people down. Injuries from dogs have happened while walking, biking, and even riding in a car. In all cases, Slater & Zurz knows what to do.
Slater & Zurz Takes Action
Senior Managing Partner Jim Slater has developed a Dog Bite Prevention Program specifically for children. He has visited Ohio schools to share safety information in fun, easy-to-understand ways in the hopes of preventing a dog bite or injury from ever occurring.
On one such occasion, Mr. Slater stopped by King Elementary School in Akron and spoke to nearly 100 students about dog bite prevention, demonstrating the law firm’s commitment to the cause.
You’ll find all the information you need to prevent a dog attack right here. With these tools, you can educate yourselves and your children about how to interact safely with dogs and what to do should a dog attack happen.
In the event you or your child has been bitten or injured by a dog, Slater & Zurz has experienced dog bite lawyers to help you through it. Call and speak with our dog bite lawyer anytime, day or night, at 888.534.4850 or speak with one of our live operators here.
