St. Louis Dog Bite Attorney: Keeping Children Safe around the Family Dog
In the United States, approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. About one in five of those injuries require medical attention. Among children, those ages 5 to 9 have the highest rate of dog-bite related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many of those bites are from the family dog. However, there are ways to keep your children safe around your dog and prevent Missouri dog bite injuries from occurring.
It helps to keep your children in mind before choosing a dog for your family. If your child seems scared of dogs, it’s probably not the time to get a dog. In addition, extra care should be taken before you bring a dog into a household with infants and toddlers. Once you feel your family is ready for a dog, consult with the family veterinarian or a breeder to see what might be the best breed of dog for your household. Before purchasing or adopting a dog, spend time with the animal. See if the dog is gentle with your children and if they feel comfortable around the dog.
After you have decided on a particular dog, have the animal spayed or neutered, which can reduce aggressiveness. Spend time training and socializing the dog. Teach the dog how to behave submissively. Don’t wrestle or play other aggressive games with your dog or the dog might think it’s acceptable to wrestle with young children.
Has your child been bitten by a dog that did not belong to you? By law, the dog’s owner could be held liable for any injuries suffered as a result of the bite. Contact the St. Louis dog bite attorneys at Page Law to learn more about your legal options. Call our law office today at 314-241-2273 for a free consultation.
