Florida Dog Bites
What could be more terrifying than to be attacked by a vicious dog? It’s something that occurs more often than you’d think right here in Florida. If you have been the victim of a dog attack, a Kissimmee dog bite attorney can help you with the next steps.
Alarming Statistics
The number of people who are hospitalized following a dog attack is astounding: more than six hundred victims require extensive medical treatment related to dog bites throughout the state annually. Two of them die in a typical year.
Across the country, nearly 5 million people suffer from injuries related to bites, with 370,000 of them requiring emergency room services. Here’s what we know about these attacks:
- Children are the most frequent victims of dog attacks, requiring medical attention three times more often than adults;
- Half of all children are bitten at home or by a dog that is known to the child;
- Adult bites are most often the result of the adult trying to break up a dog-fight;
- Roughly one-third of Florida attacks involved unleashed animals, and these result in attacks on strangers 90 percent of the time.
- About one-third of homeowner’s insurance claims are connected to dog bites, resulting in an average of $37,000 per incident.
Recent Florida Attacks
While the numbers are hair-raising, it is important to remember that every incident involves real people who suffer real consequences:
- When a young Gainesville boy was riding his bike, a dog got out of the house and bit him, also killing a cat in the incident;
- Dogs that escaped through a hole in a fence attacked a woman and her Chihuahua, killing her pet and severing the woman’s ear;
Why Dogs Attack
Why does a dog typically go after someone so aggressively? The reasons can be difficult to predict, but experts point to some key issues:
- Reactions to stress;
- Feelings of being threatened or frightened;
- A desire to protect their owners or pups;
- Being startled;
- They don’t feel well.
Breeds Linked to Most Attacks
While any dog may become violent, certain breeds are involved in more attacks than others. Topping the list of aggressive animals are Chihuahuas, Bulldogs, Pit Bulls, and German Shepherds. In most instances, these animals have not been spayed or neutered.
Staying Safe
Avoiding confrontations with aggressive dogs is not something we generally consider in our day-to-day lives, but maybe it’s something worth thinking about. Some suggestions to ward off attacks include:
- Carrying a spray bottle to squirt at approaching dogs when necessary;
- Using a stern voice to order dogs away when they approach;
- Use a walking stick or cane to protect yourself;
- Keeping a whistle handy;
- Having doggie treats at the ready to share;
- Avoid passing in front of houses with scary dogs.
Following an Attack
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries following a dog attack, the physical and emotional recovery ahead may seem daunting. At the Salazar & Kelly Law Group, P.A., our experienced legal team can help you address the legal issues and seek compensation to deal with medical costs, emotional distress, and more. Contact us in Kissimmee today for a confidential consultation.
Resource:
dailycommercial.com/news/20190309/florida-county-deals-with-spate-of-dog-attacks
https://www.salazarandkelly.com/florida-dog-bite-injuries/
