Dog Bites on the Rise Across Nation
May 16, 2012
In 2009, two high-profile Indiana dog bite cases brought the seriousness of dog bites to the forefront of the nation’s consciousness. First, a four-year-old Michiana Shores girl lost her nose when a pit bull bit it off; then, later that same month, a 10-year-old Bloomington boy was disfigured when a mixed-breed dog bit his nose and lips.
Now the American Humane Association is reporting that dog bites are on the rise across the country, with dozens of bites occurring every day in each state. Half of all victims are under the age of 10, and the insurance industry pays out $1 billion a year in dog bite claims.
This week, from May 16 to May 22, is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. According to the Humane Association, the best way that parents can prevent their children from being bitten by a dog is to educate them about how to act around dogs. Parents are also advised to supervise their children, as 80 percent of fatal dog attacks among 2-year-olds occurred when the child was unsupervised.
A dog bite accident can be serious and should be taken seriously. If you or someone you know has been the victim of an Indiana dog bite injury, we encourage you to consult the Indiana Dog Bite Lawyers with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin. It’s important to know that bite victims have rights. In most states, the dog’s owner is liable when his dog bites.
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