The famous saying is that dogs are a man’s best friend, but the truth is that they’re often a child’s best friend. There’s a reason that so many books and movies are based on the bonds between a child and a dog – they can be important. Family dogs are important parts of many American families and that’s often a good thing – but not always.
In a perfect world, a dog and a child would be a perfect match. They’d run and play together, they’d nap together, and they’d get alone. The truth is that most dog bites involve children. These bites can happen with dogs you’re familiar with and dogs you’ve never seen before. They can be minor or they can lead to catastrophic injuries. Your child is in danger from any dog, but most especially if the dog is new to the child. Read on to learn about ways to protect your child. If your child has been bitten, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
Understanding why dogs bite
The first thing you can do is make sure that you know why dogs bite so that you can be extra aware if you’re in one of those situations. Dogs often bite when they’re introduced to an unfamiliar environment – especially one that involves children. As a result, introduce your child to a dog slowly and calmly. Dogs participate in hierarches and instinctually want to establish that they’re the leader of the pack. The result can be aggressive behavior, especially toward toddlers and children who are smaller than the dog.
Another reason that dogs often bite young children is that the child unintentionally provokes them. For example, your child may pull a dog’s tail or ears, or grab a dog too tight. They may encourage a dog to chase them. In short, a child may do something they mean as playing and it could be seen as aggressive by the dog.
How to prevent dog bites
The best thing you can do to prevent your child from being the victim of a dog bite accident is to educate your child and to help them practice being around dogs. Tell them how to interact with a dog and teach them what they should be weary of. For example, if a dog’s ears are flat, their fur is raised, or they’re growling, then the child should stay away.
If you’re planning to bring a new dog into the home, then make sure you properly screen it. Some breeds are more dangerous around kids and certain dogs may have had abusive pasts that make them dangerous around children. Don’t bring a dog into your home if you have any reason to believe they may attack your child. If your child is bitten by a neighbor or friend’s dog, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
