Each year, over 4.5 million people seek medical care for dog bite injuries. This article offers important dog bite facts that could save your life should you ever come into contact with an aggressive canine.
Before initiating an attack, most dogs give some type of warning signal. A warning bark, growl or muzzle punch are common indicators of impending violence. Youd o not want to deal with the dog bite after it happened. You want i
The Whites of Their Eyes
Pet owners should know that although media reports of dog attacks may make people anxious about their own pet’s behavior, these cases rarely lead to severe or fatal results. You are far more likely to die of food choking or heart disease than being attacked by a dog.
Most often, dogs bite when startled or threatened and feel they need to defend themselves or their territory. Or perhaps it is something they value like puppies, food or toys they wish to protect.
Level one bites, the smallest and most frequently seen by dogs, involve snapping of teeth without making contact with skin; it serves as a warning that something is amiss or is off course.
Level two bites, where teeth do come into contact with skin, generally result in small indentation/welt and mild-to-moderate levels of bleeding, while level three bites usually result in more intense bleeding and an increased chance of infection. Most infections from dog bites are caused by bacteria; Pasteurella multocida and Staphylococcus aureus being the two primary aerobic organisms responsible. It should be noted that 15-20 percent of dog bite wound infections contain anaerobic bacteria as well; thus washing/treating will significantly decrease risks further complications associated with future bite wound infections and reduce potential further complications compared with treatment plans alone.
Raised Fur
Dog bites usually result from some kind of situation and dogs use both verbal and nonverbal communication to convey information to one another. Non-verbal signals include tail wagging, ear movement and raised fur (hackles). Raised fur is similar to goosebumps in humans – it indicates they’ve gone into protective mode and warned others away.
If a dog raises its hackles while guarding something like food or toys, they are probably feeling anxious that someone could take what belongs to them and will likely respond by biting anyone who threatens it – this behavior is known as resource guarding and could prove fatal if exposed to children.
Information that can be gained from a dog’s hackles includes their track record. Knowing whether a particular pup has previously bit someone is extremely important since in states with strict liability statutes, their prior history often plays an integral role when considering claims related to dog bites.
Most of our study participants used their experience with a dog bite to temporarily modify their behavior; however, its longer-term impact was often less evident. Gina and Ellie reported becoming wary of certain breeds of dogs; however, their feelings towards their own dog remained relatively unchanged.
Letting You Know They’re On the Verge
Dogs can provide subtle signals when they are readying themselves to bite by their body language. Bared teeth, wrinkled muzzle and intense eye contact are all indicators of aggression in canines. Crouching down or tucking their tail between legs are additional indications, or turning away altogether can also indicate impending aggression. Lip licking, yawning and stiffness may also serve as warning signs.
Most dogs who bite are not intending to attack anyone; rather, their decision to bite is an instinctual response to perceived threats. Even the cuddliest, sweetest dogs can become aggressive if they feel overwhelmed, frightened or threatened; often these were raised improperly or have had negative interactions with humans in the past.
As important as it is to recognize all breeds of dog, all can bite at any time. Any animal which penetrates skin may carry bacteria which could potentially lead to serious infections like tetanus, rabies or sepsis; thus it is wise to wash any bites thoroughly with soap and water in order to avoid infection. Should a bite occur from any dog it is important that medical help be sought immediately.
Intense Eye Contact
Dogs use eye contact as a warning signal, just like growls or whines can. While humans interpret eye contact as polite greeting, in canine culture it signals dominance and challenges to dominate others. When greeting unknown dogs it may be wise to avoid locking eyes with them since this could cause them to retreat in defense if your gaze poses any threat at all.
Dogs are territorial creatures, so it’s no surprise that over two-thirds of dog bite incidents take place on the victim’s property. When children play outside more often and interact with neighborhood dogs, there is an increased chance they’ll get bit.
If you or someone in your family has been attacked by a dog, do not approach it directly as this could provoke an aggressive response. Instead, call animal control or non-emergency police right away in order to establish a record of what occurred and begin filing a personal injury claim against the owner of the animal.
Experienced California dog bite lawyers can evaluate your case and explain your legal rights. Contact us now to begin. Our attorneys accept cases on contingency basis – meaning there’s no fee incurred until we win.
