If you have little ones in your home, whether you have a dog or not that lives with you, it is likely your child will be in contact with a dog at some point. Taking proactive steps to keep your children safe and teaching them about safe behavior around animals is important to ensure your child is free from harm.
Dog Bite Prevention Tips
- If you are not familiar with a dog, do not approach it and educate your children to do the same. Dogs are around and about going on walks with their owners and playing in their yards. When a dog has gotten loose and is out without an owner, it is best not to go near the animal. Instead, call animal control and alert them about the loose dog.
- Dogs are cute and fuzzy but don’t just think that because a dog is well-behaved next to their owner that it is OK to go up to them and pet them. Always ask the animal’s owner for permission to pet them before you go up to them. Even if you know the dog, asking permission beforehand keeps you safer.
- When confronted with an aggressive dog, it is best to slowly walk away from the animal. Staying still and avoiding frantic motions is best. Avoiding direct eye contact is advised since this can further aggravate a frenzied dog. If you or your child is knocked down by an attacking dog, curl the body into a ball and make sure to shield your neck and head from the attack.
- Leave dogs alone when they are in their own space and while they are engaging in certain activities. Don’t allow children to encroach on a dog who is settling down in their crate or on their bed, don’t let them interfere with a dog who is eating, and not bothering sleeping dogs is also important.
- Don’t tease or taunt dogs.
- Never leave young children unsupervised around dogs. It only takes one time for a dog to react to a young child and inflict serious harm.
What Should You Do If You Were Bitten By A Dog?
When you take all the safety precautions all the time, you won’t be able to completely eliminate your chances of being bitten by a dog but you will reduce your risk greatly. If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog and you know the owner, talk to them about the incident. Let them know what happened and see if they are willing to pay for the medical treatment you’ll be seeking for your wounds. If they are unwilling to work with you, contact a Janesville personal injury lawyers at Alexander J. Smith Law Offices.
The Illinois and Wisconsin dog bite attack attorneys at the Alexander J. Smith Law Offices know the laws that pertain to how a victim of a dog attack can obtain compensation for damages after they have been wounded.
Call us today to set up a free consultation at (608) 237-7035 for residents of Wisconsin or (815) 243-9686 for residents of Illinois. One of our highly knowledgeable Wisconsin and Illinois personal injury attorneys will talk with you about your dog attack experience.