Preventing Dog Bites in San Jose

While most dogs are not aggressive by nature, if they become fearful or feel threatened, they may defend themselves. Even though dog owners are liable for their canine companions, you can help prevent dog bites by exercising caution around an unfamiliar animal.

• Do not approach a dog without permission from the owner. Approaching the dog quickly may startle it and cause it to bite. If the owner says that it’s okay, make sure the dog sees you, and let it sniff you before attempting to pet it.
• Never approach a dog that is sleeping, eating, or taking care of its puppies. Interrupting one of these activities may cause the dog to see you as hostile.
• If a dog seems to be behaving strangely, alert the owner if possible, or animal control.
• Children are the most frequent victims of dog bites in San Jose. Teach them the appropriate way to interact with these animals.

Any breed of dog may bite if it feels threatened, which is why it is important to always exercise caution.

What to Do If You’re Approached by a Dog

Sometimes, you can’t avoid interaction with a strange dog, perhaps because the animal was accidentally let outside or found its way out of its enclosure in the owner’s yard. In these cases, it’s important to know how to respond if a dog approaches you to avoid a bite or minimize serious injury if the dog attacks you.

• If you see a dog walking toward you, try to stay calm. If you panic or make loud noises, it could cause the dog to see you as a threat, and they may act to defend their territory.
• If a dog is already moving to attack you, often the first thing it will try to do is knock you to the ground. Try using a purse, bag, or jacket as a barrier between you and the dog.
• If you can’t prevent the attack, curl up in a fetal position and protect your head by covering your ears and neck with your hands.

After seeking medical treatment, make note of specifics about the incident and get in touch with an attorney who deals with dog bite cases in San Jose.

Dog Bite Injuries

As lawyers who regularly deal with dog bite cases in San Jose, we’ve seen clients who have sustained various types of injuries.

• External injuries – These include gashes and lacerations. If they’re deep, they may require stitches and result in scarring even after they’ve healed. As with any cut, there is also a risk of infection.
• Internal injuries – If the dog causes damage to the brain or spinal cord, it could result in problems with the nervous system.
• Psychological injuries – After having a dog attack them, many people experience long-term effects on their mental health, such as developing a strong fear of dogs.