Dog Bite Law:
How to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog Bite Law - How to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer
Dogs are one of the most popular pets around the world. Although almost
everyone has had contact with a dog at some point in their lives, few
people understand the danger that lurks in the heart of man’s best
friend.
There is currently a dog bite epidemic sweeping the United States. The 65 million dogs in America will bite 4.7 million people this year, and 800,000 will require serious medical attention. That is almost 1,000 people a day; nearly 2% of the entire population.
Sadly, most of the victims of dog bites are young children between
the ages of seven and 15. Statistics show that almost all severe
dog-inflicted injuries occur on children under the age of 10, and most
of the dogs that attack people are known to the victim and belong to a
family or friends.
Although any dog can become dangerous if mistreated or abused, there are
some breeds of dog that tend to attack more often than other breeds.
According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control
between 1979 and 1996, the top three breeds that attacked and killed the
most people are Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepard Dogs. These
three dogs accounted for more than all the other canine-related deaths
combined. Other dangerous dogs that are likely to kill people include
Doberman Pinchers, Huskies, Chows, and Saint Bernards.
It is important to remember that any dog is potentially dangerous. In
2000, a Pomeranian mauled to death its family’s six week old baby, even
though the dog weighed only four pounds. The incident took place while
the girl’s uncle prepared a bottle for her in the kitchen, and when he
returned the dog was viciously attacking the baby.
Dogs evolved from powerful predators, and despite thousands of years
of socialization and modern techniques of training and discipline, they
retain their base instincts and reactions. While this is expected and
even rewarded in some breeds, it is quite a shock when smaller and less
aggressive dogs attack and kill people.
Dog bites cost Americans
billions of dollars every year in insurance premiums, medical bills, and
lost time from work. In fact, in 1995, the insurance industry paid out
over $250 million in settlements for dog bites. By 2001 this amount had
risen to $310 million, and by 2002 insurance companies were paying out
$345.5 million to victims of dog attacks.
Although costs dipped a bit to $321.6 million in 2003, most dog bite
experts agree that the costs associated with dog bites will begin to
rise in the years to come. All told, victims of dog bites in the United
States suffer an average of $1 billion each year in total economic
losses.
To learn more about dog bite law or hiring a dog bite lawyer, please
visit our website at
http://www.resource4dogbitelaw.com This article may be freely
reprinted as long as this resource box is included and all links stay
intact as hyperlinks.
This entry was posted on Monday, August 13th, 2007 at 6:39 pm and is
filed under Law.
Source:
http://jeffreyandtracey.com/archives/2007/08/13/dog-bite-law-how-to-hire-a-dog-bite-lawyer/