Tips to prevent dog bites

National Dog Bite Prevention Week takes place during the third week of May every year. The focus is on educating people about how to prevent dog bites. There is an estimated population of over 70 million dogs living in U.S. households. Not surprisingly, millions of people are bitten by dogs every year. The majority of these bites are preventable. We would like to think that everyone who owns a dog realizes the full responsibility of such ownership, but the reality is that many dog owners leave their dogs unsupervised, or subject their dogs to conditions that escalate the possibility of their dog biting someone. For example, having the mail delivered every day is not only common, but it has become routine to the average American community. Yet, The U.S. Postal Service reports that 5,581 postal employees were attacked by dogs in 2013. Another surprising statistic is that children, elderly, and postal carriers are the most frequent victims of dog bites.

Setting aside the debate about ownership of vicious dog breeds, people are bitten by dogs that they believe to be harmless. The purpose of this article is to help you recognize a dog who has always acted friendly may bite you if they are put in a situation where they believe they are being threatened. Pet ownership is a wonderful thing, but sometimes pet owners fail to realize that their beloved pet can become irritable or agitated, just as we do. When dogs are irritable or agitated, they are much more likely to bite.

Consider the following tips that can reduce your chances of suffering a dog bite injury:

Approach a dog carefully when greeting it
Most people are unaware that there is a proper and safe way to greet a dog. Never lean over and sticking your hand in the dog's face. Contrary to what you see in the movies, do not pat the dog's head. Do not stare a dog in the eyes or squeal and shout. All these gestures can be interpreted by the dog as a threat or an act of aggression. Conversely, when greeting a dog, stand in a non-threatening way with your side or back towards the dog. Do not approach the dog; let the dog come up to you.

Give dogs space when they are agitated or fearful
Just like humans, dogs express their emotions through body language. Watch for signs that a dog is upset or anxious such as Cowering, furrowed brows, ears tucked back or to the side, pacing or moving away from people in the room, turning their head quickly when hearing different sources of noise. Teach children the warning signs of a stressed or unhappy dog, and tell them when it is safe to play with a dog. Remind them that dog have good days and bad days, just like they do. Dog owners should always supervise children around dogs, even if the dog has been a family pet for years.

Pay attention to stressors
There is no day of the year that is more exemplified for stressors than the Fourth of July. The constant and unexpected barrage of fireworks all day long can set a dog on edge, Dogs can often bite because an accumulation of stressors have brought them to their breaking point. Pay attention to disruptive events that threaten a dog's space such as loud noises, strange people in the house, or kids climbing on the dog.

Charlotte personal injury lawyer handles dog bite cases
Hiring a personal injury attorney is essential if you want the best possible compensation after you have experienced a dog bite. The Olive Law Firm of Charlotte, NC has nearly 60 years of experience fighting for the rights of injured victims. They have earned a reputation as a trusted and compassionate Firm that prepares to take every case to court in order to obtain the best possible outcomes for their clients. If you want the best representation after you are injured in an accident or by a dog bite, then call their office for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.