Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Dogs bite almost five million people a year, most of whom are children under four. A study published by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System reports that when small children (ages 0-4 years) are attacked by dogs, the bite wounds are on the head or face 64.9% of the time. March is Save Your Vision Month, and dogs attacks on children account for a startling percentage of children’s eye injuries every year.

Eye injuries caused by dog bites are particularly dangerous. Any doctor will tell you that one of the primary concerns for a dog bite wound is infection. When the injury is to the eye, the risk of infection can cause blindness, disfigurement, or even death. Because of the delicate and spongy skin, dog bite injuries to the eyelid are very easily infected. Such wounds can require surgery, intravenous antibiotic treatment or even hyperbaric therapy in order for the tissue to fully heal.

Most of the time, the victim of the attack is familiar with the biting dog, sometimes it’s even the family pet. That is why it is crucially important to establish a positive child- pet relationship in your home if you have dogs and small children.

Here are some ways to keep your children safe from dog attacks:

1. Establish a “no fly zone” for your children around the dog’s sleeping and eating space. Most often, dogs bite because they feel threatened. Eating and sleeping are times when dogs consider themselves to be vulnerable.
2. Explain to your child the tell-tale signs of an aggressive dog’s body language (i.e. bared teeth, flattened ears, growling)
3. Teach your dog and your child command words like “stop” or “down,” and make sure your child knows when and how to use them.
4. Show your children how to protect themselves should a dog ever attack. (Roll into a ball and protect the face and head)
5. Never leave any child unsupervised with any dog, no matter how gentle, friendly, or old. Remember: any dog can bite at any time, and your child may provoke any dog without understanding the consequences of her actions.

If you or your child has been the victim of a dog bite, you have rights. Under Missouri law, dog owners are strictly liable for the injuries caused by their pet. Time limits for filing a claim exist, so contact the dog bite attorneys at Page Law today. Experienced dog bite attorneys can help you navigate the often confusing and complicated process of dog bite lawsuits. Call (314) 241-2273 today for a free consultation of your case.