Preventing dog bites and animal attacks is as simple as being cautious and alert with your surroundings. Even with all of the precautions people take, millions of dogs bite humans each year, many of which are children, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). When a dog bites or an animal attacks you, you can hold the owner responsible for your damages.
Let our dog bite injury lawyers here at John Foy & Associates help you recover compensation for all of your damages. With more than two decades of legal experience on our side, we have assisted many personal injury victims to recover a settlement. Please call us today for a free consultation at (404) 400-4000.
Fundamental Causes of Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
When it comes to animal attacks and dog bites, one of the fundamental reasons this occurs is unchecked aggression. All animals can be aggressive, and it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that their pets don’t compromise the safety of others around them.
For dogs, in particular, aggression is the most common behavior issue that affects them, according to the Association Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Many factors can go into why a dog bites a human, but in general, it is due to:
- Poor training
- Aggressive tendencies
- The quality of the dog’s life
You can do several things to protect both yourself and your loved ones from an animal attack or dog bite.
How You Can Prevent Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Here are some ways you can stop a dog bite or animal attack from occurring.
Avoid Animals that Look Aggressive
This is common sense. If you see a potentially aggressive animal or dog, just walk the other way or cross the street. There is no need to put yourself in any danger. This is especially true if the owner isn’t present or doesn’t seem to care.
Take Warnings Seriously
If there are any warning signs posted in your area about potentially dangerous animals or a dangerous dog, take them seriously. Many people will disregard these warnings as trivial, but in reality, they can mean the difference between safety and injury.
Never trespass onto a property with animals on it. They will see you as an immediate threat and can potentially attack you. If they do, any injuries and damages you sustain can’t be claimed for compensation, as you weren’t given consent to be on that property in the first place.
Be Calm
Most importantly, above anything else, you need to remain calm. Panicking will only make things worse and aggravate the dog or animal further. They may perceive your panicked behavior as a sign of aggression towards them, which may entice them to want to bite or attack you even further.
If you run into an aggressive animal or dog, back up slowly and don’t make any eye contact. Many animals, especially dogs, view direct eye contact as a challenge. Don’t ever turn your back to a dog, as this makes it seem like a chase, and they’ll charge at you.
What Happens if an Attack Happens Anyways?
Despite your best efforts, if an animal or dog attacks you, then follow these basic steps:
- Don’t run away. The likelihood of you outrunning a dog or any animal is slim to none, and this puts you in an extremely vulnerable position.
- Curl into a fetal position so you can protect your head and face. Make a fist, so your fingers aren’t at risk of getting bitten.
- If a dog or animal is biting you, try not to pull away. Instead, see if you can place any object between you and the dog.
Fighting back against the animal or the dog isn’t recommended and should only be done if it’s absolutely necessary. More often than not, trying to punch and kick your way out of an animal attack will likely result in more injuries on your end.
What Should I Do After a Dog or Animal Attack?
After receiving medical treatment, you should contact one of our dog bite attorneys immediately to get started on filing your claim. We have recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients over the years. Our team is confident that we can help you today.
Allow us to provide you with a free consultation on your case. There is no obligation if you don’t wish to pursue legal action with us. The attorneys at John Foy & Associates operate on a contingency fee basis. We won’t accept any payment unless we win you compensation for your damages.
Schedule an Appointment Today with John Foy & Associates
We are available 24/7 to help you set up an appointment with one of our lawyers. We won’t hesitate to fight hard and go to trial for your claim if necessary.
Don’t end up paying out of pocket for your damages. You can reach us at (404) 400-4000.