Dog Bites: Some Relief for Victims

People are drawn to causes where they feel they are making an active difference. There are always fundraisers for important issues like cancer and diabetes, because the search for a cure is a powerful idea. These are very noble pursuits, but one danger that sends thousands of people to the emergency room each year has been under-addressed. Dog bites, to which most people give little thought, are one of the most common causes of serious injury in this country.

Finally, the courts are stepping in where the legal system has historically failed. Under previous interpretations of the law by various judges, only the current canine attack could be taken into account when assessing damages, leaving owners with dangerous animals little reason to keep their dogs in check. But, a judge in Pennsylvania has allowed prior threatening acts by a dog to be taken into account. This is a huge step forward.

A majority of dog attacks involve a small selection of dog breeds, and these animals are often recognized as aggressive and vicious even before they actually hurt someone. Most of us, when we see one of these dangerous dogs, simply avoid them—not an option for everyone. Some jobs are at particular risk to be bitten by a dog. These jobs include:

• Postal carriers
• FedEx, UPS, and other delivery services
• Home health nurses
• City utility workers
• Paperboys and papergirls

If you have one of these jobs, it is especially important that you are extra careful whenever setting foot on someone’s property. Sometimes these attacks occur in other places, such as out in the street, when an aggressive animal either escapes a fence or is out for a walk on an inadequate leash.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a dog attack, it is important you contact an attorney to help you find the relief you deserve.