If you’re a parent, you may be far more nervous about your child being bitten by a dog than suffering a bite yourself. Certainly, you don’t want to be injured, but you know that the danger is greater for your child.
You’re certainly correct in this observation, but have you ever thought about why it is? Considering this can sometimes help you avoid a dog bite because you know what warning signs to look for and how to keep your child safe.
Children love dogs
First and foremost, many children really love dogs and are very curious about them. Children who have dogs at home may just assume that all dogs they meet are going to be friendly and playful. This means that they will often just run up to them and try to engage with them, not realizing that the dog could be a threat.
Children move radically
Another thing to consider is simply how the dog is looking at the child. Because children are often loud, excitable and erratic. This can make dogs feel a bit nervous. This is especially true for a dog that is used to being around adults and knows what to expect. It may think that a child is being threatening when the child is simply being loud.
Children are at a physical disadvantage
There are two ways in which children have a serious physical disadvantage. The first is strength. Even some adults who suffer a bite are able to fend off the dog before things get more serious. But children struggle to do this and are therefore more likely to suffer fatal injuries.
The second issue is their height. It’s true that anyone could suffer a fatal dog bite, but it’s more common for children because vulnerable areas are more easily accessible to the dog. If an adult is attacked by a dangerous dog, they may suffer bites to their arms and legs. A child may suffer the same bites to their chest, neck and face. This simply means that the ramifications could be more severe.
What options do you have?
If your child has suffered serious injuries that may have left them with permanent scarring or even disabilities, you definitely want to know about all of your legal options to seek compensation from the dog’s owner.