The Barnes Firm

The Dog (Bite) Days of Summer

• July 10, 2019
• Sandy

LOS ANGELES — Dog bite incidents can happen during any time of year, but they usually reach higher levels during the summer months, an LA dog bite lawyer said. Certain populations are more at risks for these attacks, including mail carriers and children, and people should be aware of some safety measures they can follow to avoid attacks and dog bite injuries.

Dog Bite Statistics

With close to 45 percent of American households owning dogs, incidents of dog attacks and dog bites are not rare. The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that dogs bite more than 4 million people every year in the U.S. These incidents can cause immediate physical injury and also lead to disease. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that one in every five people bitten by a dog will need medical attention.

According to the CDC, adult men are more likely to become the victims of dog bite incidents than adult women, and children are more likely to be bitten than adults. More than half of these attacks happen in people’s homes and involve family dogs or friends’ dogs. People owning two or more dogs are five times more likely to experience a dog bite incident.

Dog Bite Cases Increase in Summer

According to an LA dog bite lawyer at The Barnes Firm, the spike in dog bites over the summer months is due to warmer weather that brings more people and dogs outside, creating more opportunities for incidents. Dog parks are open, and people start walking their dogs more often or letting their dogs roam in their backyards. The wrong circumstances can lead to tragedy.

If dogs become loose or slip from their owners’ grips, they can become involved in either conflict with other dogs or with people. An LA dog bite lawyer says like humans, high temperatures can make dogs more irritable and more prone to aggression.

Postal Service Reports Dogs Attacking Mail Carriers

The U.S. Postal Service reports that dogs attacked 6,755 postal workers in the country during 2016. This figure was higher by 200 incidents compared to 2015. Mail carriers can be at extreme risk for dog bite attacks because they are walking onto people’s property, approaching homes, and sometimes knocking on doors. Dogs can rip through screen doors or even glass to get to mail carriers.

USPS recently ranked the number of dog attacks by city and found that more incidents occurred in Los Angeles than in any other U.S. city. A total of 80 attacks by dogs on mail carriers occurred in LA in 2016. California had two cities in the Top 10, with San Diego taking the No. 4 spot at 57 attacks.

To reduce instances of dog attacks on mail carriers, USPS recommends that homeowners place dogs in separate, secured rooms before opening their doors to mail carriers. They should also teach children and relatives to not go outside with dogs to greet mail carriers.

Preventing Dog Bite Incidents

The CDC recommends people take certain steps to prevent conflict with dogs and dog bites. According to the CDC, people should do the following to stay safe around dogs:

• Always ask owners if it is safe to pet their dogs;
• Do not approach or reach out to dogs you are unfamiliar with;
• Contact owners or animal control regarding any loose dogs in your neighborhood;
• Do not run from a dog that approaches you;
• Do not make loud sounds or aggressive gestures at a dog;
• Do not suddenly disturb dogs while they are eating or are with puppies;
• Do not touch a dog when it cannot see you or smell you; and
• Never leave small children unattended with dogs.

What To Do After A Dog Bite

If you or a family member has been attacked by a dog, it’s critical to get immediate medical attention. Studies have found that the faster an injury is treated by medical professionals, the faster it can heal properly.

You’ll also want to gather as much information about the dog and its owner as possible. What’s their address and contact information? Does the dog have a history of aggression? An experienced LA dog bite lawyer can also help investigate the incident and potentially help you file a claim for injury compensation. In many cases, this compensation can help you cover the costs of medical bills, lost time at work, transportation costs, pain and suffering, and more.

If you’ve been injured by an aggressive dog, call The Barnes Firm or contact us online to get started on your FREE case evaluation.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000