Far too often, dogs previously thought well-behaved will attack both children and adults. In August 2009, two brothers in the Sacramento area had to fight hard to escape from their neighbor’s Rottweiler. The dog’s owner had just brought him out of her house on a leash before the attack occurred.

One minute the two boys, ages four and eight, were playing in their front yard with their mother standing nearby. The next minute, the dog attacked after the older boy innocently approached it. The younger boy received numerous wounds requiring 100 stitches and a three-day stay in the hospital. His older brother received deep wounds in right arm. The younger boy might not have fared as well as he did had his older brother not come to his rescue. Furthermore, the dog was about to attack the children’s mother when the older boy yelled out and leapt to her defense.

As frightening as such attacks are, it’s just to easy for all of us to forget how “man’s best friend” can suddenly become aggressive. Even “good dogs” can occasionally act completely out of character and harm those in their presence. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. About twenty percent (20%) of those bitten require medical treatment. In 2006, thirty-one thousand people chose to undergo reconstructive surgery after being bitten by dogs.

Given these CDC statistics, everyone needs to be more careful when walking outside or visiting others who keep dogs in their home or outside. To protect ourselves, we each should:

• Bear in mind that neutering a dog will often help curb some of its more aggressive behaviors;
• Avoid leaving babies or young children alone with a dog, no matter how calm its temperament usually tends to be;
• Remember that children between the ages of five and nine are most likely to be bitten by dogs;
• Keep in mind that men are more likely to be bitten by dogs than women;
• Teach our dogs tricks or behaviors that reinforce the importance of being submissive;
• Reach out immediately for professional help if a dog (or other pet) begins to display hostile or threatening behavior toward anyone (or another pet) in the household;
• Avoid playing rough with a dog. Animals often find it hard to stop playing rough after their human master or friend has started the rowdy play. Men and boys seem to encourage this type of play far too often, despite the tragic consequences that can occur. This may be why men are more likely to be bitten by dogs than women.
• Remind children to never, ever approach a dog they don’t know or without an adult by their side. Even when accompanied by a parent or other caregiver, children should be taught to never initiate any physical contact with a dog;
• Remember that if we are attacked by a dog, we should roll into a ball to protect our most vulnerable body parts;
• Keep in mind that no one should ever disturb dogs that are eating, sleeping or caring for their puppies;
• Always report stray dogs or those acting in a strange manner to local authorities so they can act before the dogs possibly harm people or other animals. Children should also be taught to immediately notify an adult upon noticing such an animal.

If we each keep these basic rules in mind, we should be able to safely enjoy spending time (indoors and) outdoors with dogs in our midst.

Anyone who has been recently bitten or otherwise attacked by a dog should feel free to contact our office since we’re experienced in helping clients obtain the medical care they need, while pursuing legal action on their behalf. You deserve to regain your full health after a dog attack and not suffer long-term financial losses often associated with such injuries.