St Louis Dog Bite Attack Lawyers
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Missouri Dog Bite Attack
According to The Humane Society of the United States, the results of a 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey found that there are approximately 77.5 million dogs in the U.S. About 39 percent of all U.S. households own at least one dog. An estimated 67 percent of owners own one dog, and 24 percent own two dogs. A little over nine percent own three or more dogs.
It should come as no surprise, then, that there is a relatively high occurrence of dog bites every year in the United States, with over 4.7 million people bit every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That is roughly two percent of the total population in the U.S. About 800,000 of these bites require medical attention, and a little less than half, about 386,000, require treatment in a hospital emergency room. About 16 people die every year from injuries sustained in a dog bite attack. Sadly, the rate of dog bite-related injuries is the highest for children between five and nine years old.
Causes of Dog Attacks
There are many factors that can cause a St. Louis dog bite attack. The dog's breed, the dog's parents, how well they have been socialized, their training, and their health, can all impact whether a dog is already pre-disposed to attack. Other qualities that could lead to a dog attack relate to whether a dog is aggressive; acting out related to dominance; responding defensively or out of fear; being protective or territorial; displaying predatory instincts; or behavior could be elicited by pain or punishment.
Generally, St. Louis dog bite attacks include the following injuries to a victim's face, neck, and hands: lacerations; abrasions; punctures; fractured bones; tissue loss; crush injuries; infections such as rabies; and nerve damage. Scarring also commonly occurs from dog bite attack injuries, and many dog bite victims suffer emotional aftereffects following the attack that are similar to post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), which can be serious.
Preventing Dog Bite Attacks
There are several safety tips one can observe when around the animal to prevent St. Louis dog bite attacks from occurring:
- Never approach an unfamiliar dog
- Never run from a dog
- If approached by an unfamiliar dog, remain motionless
- Never allow children to play with a dog unless they are supervised
- If a dog knocks you over, roll into a ball and be still
- Avoid direct eye contact with an unfamiliar dog
- Never disturb a dog that is eating, sleeping, or taking care of puppies
- Never pet a dog without first allowing it to see and sniff you
- Immediately report any stray dogs to local police or an animal control agency
In a St. Louis dog bite attack, the dog's owner may be liable for injuries a victim sustains, depending on such factors as whether or not the animal was provoked, whether the victim had previous knowledge of the dog's behavior, and what city and/or county the dog bite occurred. Monetary compensation may be available to someone following a dog bite attack to cover such costs as medical bills and pain and suffering.
If you have been injured in a St. Louis dog bite attack, it would be a good idea to contact an experienced and knowledgeable St. Louis dog bite attack attorney to determine whether you have a solid case against the dog's owner. The St. Louis dog bite attorneys at Page Law can be contacted at 314-322-8515 for a free consultation of your St. Louis dog bite case.
St. Louis Personal Injury Resource Center
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