Dog Bite Injuries
Although many dogs are loyal and loving members of a family, vicious dogs that attack can cause serious or fatal injuries, particularly to children. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports that 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year, 20 percent of those bitten need medical attention, and 27,000 require reconstructive surgery.
In a recent two-year period, 359,223 children ages one to 14 were bitten by dogs in the U.S. Among children four years old and younger, 66 percent of dog bite injuries were to the face and neck.
If you or your loved one has been bitten by a dog, call our office to speak with an experienced Christopher J. Lauria dog bite injury attorney. You are protected under state law against dog bite injuries and may be entitled to file a claim for compensation.
At Law Office of Christopher J. Lauria LLC, a Christopher J. Lauria dog bite injury lawyer can tell you whether you have a case and what damages you may be entitled to claim in a free consultation with no obligation at a location that is convenient for you.
Causes of Dog Bites
In a preliminary report on dog bite-related fatalities in 2014, the National Canine Research Council identified seven contributing factors within the control of dog owners and caretakers in a ten-year period as follows:
- No able-bodied person present with the dog to intervene
- Victim had no familiar relationship with the dog
- Owner failed to spay or neuter dog
- Compromised ability of the victim due to age or physical condition to manage interactions with the dog,
- Owner keeping the dog as a resident, not as a family pet
- Prior mismanagement of the dog by the owner
- Abuse or neglect of the dog by the owner
The council also found that the incidence of criminal charges against reckless dog owners or caretakers in dog bite-related fatalities has doubled over the past decade.
More than 25 percent of dog owners or caretakers involved in dog bite-related fatalities from 2000 to 2013 were charged with related criminal offenses.
Consequences of Dog Bite Injuries
When dogs bite humans, pressure from the dog’s jaws can damage tissue under the skin, including muscle, tendons, blood vessels, nerves, and bones. Injuries may require deep sutures beneath the skin in the muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.
The risk of infection is an important medical factor in dog bite injuries. Dogs’ mouths carry a multitude of germs, and tetanus and rabies must always be considered. 
Wound repair increases the risk of infection, which must be balanced against the need for sutures with dog bites. Dog bite wounds may require extensive reconstructive surgery, particularly bites on the faces of children. In the worst cases, dog bite injuries can be life-threatening or fatal.