A May 12, 2011 press release discussed these grim statistics as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) announced that May 15-21 was “National Dog Bite Prevention Week.” According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were 32,961 reconstructive surgical procedures performed in 2010 to repair dog bite wounds. It is estimated that a majority of those dog bite victims are children.
The AVMA offers these tips to reduce the possibility of being bitten:
* Don’t run past a dog. The dog’s natural instinct is to chase and catch you.
* If a dog threatens you, don’t scream. Avoid eye contact. Try to remain motionless until the dog leaves, then back away slowly until the dog is out of sight.
* Don’t approach a strange dog, especially one that’s tethered or confined.
* People choosing to pet dogs should obtain permission from the owner first and always let a dog see and sniff them before petting the animal.
* If you believe a dog is about to attack you, try to place something between yourself and the dog, such as a backpack or a bicycle.
If you or a family member have been injured in a serious dog attack, please consider hiring an experienced Pennsylvania dog bite lawyer. Attorney Thomas J. Newell has been representing personal injury victims in Pennsylvania since 1981. Please call him at 800-980-4842 to set up your free home consultation. Information regarding the PA Dog Law can be found at PADogAttackLawyer.com.
