Tips for Preventing Dog Bites
Posted on behalf of James Lynch on July 17, 2017 in Personal Injury News. Updated on March 2, 2022
Roughly 4.5 million dog bites occur every year, and one in five of those will get infected, which could lead to serious health problems and even death. These statistics are particularly concerning given that dog bites increase in the warmer summer months, particularly for young children.
To help keep you and your family safe this summer, our New Jersey dog bite lawyers have provided these safety tips to help prevent a dog bite or attack. However, if you are attacked by a dog, do not hesitate to contact Lynch Law Firm, PC for a free, no obligation consultation to review your legal rights. You may be entitled to file a personal injury claim for compensation for your injuries.
Safety Tips for Interacting with Dogs
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those with the highest risk for being bitten by a dog include:
- Children between the ages of five and nine
- Those who have dogs in their household
- Men compared to women
To help prevent bites or attacks, you should always be cautious around dogs, including new animals and those you are familiar with.
You should never:
- Pet a dog without permission from the owner
- Pet a dog without allowing it to sniff you or see you first
- Let children play with a dog without supervision
- Encourage a dog to play aggressively
- Disturb a sleeping or eating dog
- Run from a dog, as this may encourage it to chase you and attack
- Panic or make loud noises
- Disrupt a dog that is caring for puppies
If you encounter a dog that you do not want to interact with, you should:
- Stay motionless and calm
- Avoid making eye contact with the dog
- Try saying “no” or “go home” in a deep, firm voice
- Stand at an angle when facing the dog, as facing the dog directly can be a sign of aggression
- Wait for the dog to pass or slowly back away
If a dog attacks you, coil into a ball so that your hands protect your head, ears and neck.
New Jersey Law Regarding Dog Bites
Unfortunately, sometimes, despite your greatest efforts, a dog bite may occur. For this reason, New Jersey’s dog bite statute outlines who can be held liable for a dog bite.
According to N.J.S.A. 4:19-16 a dog’s owner can be held strictly liable for all damages caused by the dog on public or private property, including the dog owner’s property. This means the victim does not need to prove that the owner was negligent in causing the bite or that he or she was aware of the viciousness of the dog.
The only situation that a dog’s owner would not be held liable is if the victim was trespassing on the property at the time of the attack.
The law also allows victims to file personal injury lawsuits for dog bites based on negligence. This type of case requires the victim prove that the owner failed to prevent the bite or attack from happening in a way that a reasonable person would.
In negligence cases, the victim’s actions will also be considered, and his or her compensation could be reduced if it is found that he or she was partially to blame for his or her injuries.
After a Dog Bite, Contact Our Dog Bite Lawyers
If you or someone you love has been bitten by a dog, do not hesitate to contact our New Jersey personal injury lawyers to learn more about your legal options.
Our attorneys are committed to fighting for the maximum compensation for our clients and will utilize our vast resources to build your case.
Schedule a free, no obligation consultation today by calling (800) 518-0508 .
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