Man's Best Friend Can Be Violent. By: Karin Murphy
Despite being man's best friend, it is a sad truth that over 4.5 million people are bitten each year by dogs in the United States. Even worse, tens of thousands of people need to undergo reconstructive surgery each year as a result of these attacks. Tragically, statistics show that children are most often the victims of dog bites. In fact, injuries to children can be particularly physically and emotionally devastating.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, there were about 72 million dogs in the U.S. in 2016, equaling about one dog for every 4 people.
Unfortunately, 4.5 million people are bitten by those dogs annually, and 20 percent of those people will need medical attention for their wounds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about one out of five dog bites will become infected.
Recently, an elderly woman from Queens was killed and her son with special needs was mauled by the dog she was planning to turn in.Last month, Louise Herminda, 75, was planning to return the dog, a mastiff, because it was too aggressive and uncontrollable, neighbors said. But she apparently waited too long. The dog attacked Herminda, causing what police described as trauma to her upper torso area. She was pronounced dead at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Herminda's 39-year-old son, who has autism, was also mauled in the attack. He suffered non-life threatening injuries to his lower-left leg.
6 months ago, a woman was attacked by three pit bulls in Rocky Point, New York. Elana Tsaregorodheva says the three dogs mauled her 3-year-old boxer at Hallock Landing Beach. She suffered multiple injuries.
Dog bites or attacks can include:
Puncture wounds, lacerations, and bone injuries
Head, facial, arm, leg, and back injuries or even death.
Serious infections from bacteria such as Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, and methicillin-resistant Staph Tetanus can occur in deep puncture wounds.
Because not all dog owners vaccinate their dogs, rabies is always a consideration when someone gets bit. While rabies isn't as common in the U.S. as it is in other countries, the possibility of infection remains, so anyone who is bitten by a dog they don't know should seek medical treatment immediately.
The Sanders Firm
If you or a family member has suffered a serious personal injury as the result of a dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation. The Sanders Firm has been helping people for 50 years and understands how to effectively represent clients who have been injured in due to a dog attack.
If you feel you may have a personal injury case on your hands after sustaining a serious dog bite injury, call us today at
1.800.FAIR.PLAY for a FREE case evaluation, or fill out our
online contact form to schedule a free case review. There is no obligation.
