Dog bites can happen to a person of any age, but they are more common among children. According to the New York Department of Health, about 6,600 children younger than the age 20 suffer dog bites in New York each year, with about 200 of these bitten badly enough to need hospitalization.
While dog bites rarely cause death, the severe pain, bone and tissue damage, and scarring that can result can be severe.
Here are some tips to avoid child injuries due to dog bites at any time of the year.
- Ask for permission before petting a dog. The owner can often tell you whether the dog does not like petting, should not be touched in certain places because of injury, or other valuable information that can prevent a bite.
- Let the dog see and sniff your hand before petting it. Do this even after the owner has given permission.
- Move slowly around dogs so you do not startle them. Some dogs, when startled, bite first and then stop to see who or what startled them. If you must walk up behind a dog, speak to it and say its name so it knows you are there.
- Keep fingers together when offering a treat to a dog. An excited dog may accidentally confuse spread-out fingers with the treat and bite them without realizing it.
If you or someone you love has been hurt by a dog bite, please don’t hesitate to call the knowledgeable NY dog bite injury lawyers at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP. We can help you and your loved ones get the compensation you need and hold any negligent parties accountable for their actions. To discuss your case with us, call (212) 222-4336 today for a free, confidential case evaluation.