There are approximately 800,000 dog bites every year that require medical attention.

The American Humane Association reports that the most dangerous attacks happen in the city because people often have large, aggressive breeds of dogs for personal protection.

Remember: If you have been bitten by a dog, make sure you get information from the owner of the dog, so that your medical bills and injury can be fairly compensated. Also, be sure to inquire as to whether the dog has a license and get the license number. Many insurance policies provide coverage for these type of cases.

Though a dog may be man’s best friend, not all dogs can be trusted – even in New York. A dog bites a person every 40 seconds and over one million people receive medical treatment because of dog bites every year. Worse yet, over half of dog bite victims are children. Furthermore, bite wounds are not the only worry; there is also concern about the diseases that dogs can pass to humans as a result of blood transfer.

In order to help prevent dog bites, teach children basic safety around dogs:

• Never approach an unfamiliar dog.

• Do not run from a dog and scream.

• Remain still when an unfamiliar dog approaches.

• If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie motionless.

• Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult.

• Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.

• Never disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.

• If a child is bitten, immediately report the incident to an adult.
  
  

Owners are often negligent, whether it is by not properly restraining the dog, cat or other animal, or failing to report its bite history. Yet, despite many owners’ claims to the contrary, any dog can bite and the physical and emotional scars from these dog injuries last forever, especially to child victims of dog bites. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite or another animal bite, whether it was a household pet or a service animal, contact New York animal bite lawyer Leandros A. Vrionedes.