Terre Haute Dog Bite Lawyers Talk Safety As Part of National Dog Bite Prevention Week

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA) says that each year in the United States, dogs bite an estimated 4.5 million people. Our Terre Haute dog bite lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin explain that, of those dog bite victims, a large portion are children. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that a dog has bitten around half of all children under age 12.

An article from WTHITV 10 News states the AMVA is hoping to reduce the number of children and adults who are bitten by dogs each year by holding a campaign during this week to educate the public about canine safety. National Dog Bite Prevention Week continues until May 23.

As part of the campaign, groups have been working to teach citizens about how to recognize the signs of an aggressive dog, as well as what you can do to reduce your chances of suffering a dog bite injury. To help achieve this goal, our Indiana personal injury lawyers would like to offer these tips to the public:

• Don’t Approach a Strange Dog– Never attempt to pet an animal you have never met. Always receive permission from the owner prior to petting a strange dog.
• Know the Signs of Aggression– If a dog has a stiff back, its hair is standing up, or it is growling while showing teeth, back away slowly.
• Keep Your Pet Restrained- Dog owners should always keep their pet within a fenced yard or on a leash when in public.

We hope these tips help keep you and your loved ones safe.