Dog Bite Questions
Boise, Idaho
Which breeds of dogs are more prone to attack?
The breeds most often involved in human fatilities are rottweilers, pitbulls, German Shepards, malamutes, huskies and St. Bernards, according to the Humane Society. However, any breed of dog can be potentially dangerous. It depends greatly on the owner and the dog’s training as how docile or vicious any canine can become.
Will the court take my dog’s former behavior into consideration?
Absolutely. The court is also likely to consider your pet’s past temper, along with its size and ability to physicaly cause injuries. The court also takes into account the severity of injuries, probability of a future attack and the owner’s precautions that were taken to prevent attacks.
If my dog bites somebody, what should I do?
If your dog does attack, you should:
- Immediately restrain the animal
- Call for medical help if the victim is injured
- Cooperate with animal control officials
- Give the victim the date of your dog’s last rabies vaccination and illness history
- Get professional help to prevent your dog from biting again
- If you are not able to control your dog’s dangerous behavior and you decide to give it away, be sure to tell the new owner about past attacks
Why do certain dogs bite?
Though there are a multitude of reasons that a dog may attack, the most common are out of fear and to protect its territory. Another reason is to display dominance over humans. Some dog owners teach their pets that it is acceptable to bite while playing. However, the result is many babies and toddlers being bitten if a canine believes they are a toy or “prey.” Because dogs bite for various reasons, it is imperative that owners take the proper precautions to avoid attacks in the first place.
What can I do to avoid an attack?
To decrease your chances of becoming attacked:
- Never disturb a dog while it is eating, sleeping or caring for its pups
- Do not chase or tease a dog
- Do not play rough with a canine by pulling on its ears, hair or tail
- Never back a dog into a corner, it could make the canine defensive
- Avoid eye contact when you meet a dog you do not know
- Always supervise children when they are around dogs
- Teach children how to behave around these pets
What kind of compensation can I receive?
As a dog bite victim, you may be able to collect compensation for emergency room care, doctor’s visits, wage losses (past and future), future costs of plastic or reconstructive surgery and psychological counseling.
Dog bites are scary events that can have long-lasting effects. If you or a family member has been bitten by a dog and you live in the Boise area, Craig Swapp & Associates is here for you. Our experienced attorneys can help you recover damages without harming the relationship between you and the dog owner. Please call our Boise dog bite injury lawyers today to schedule your free, confidential consultation.
Don’t see your question? Contact us and one of our Idaho personal injury attorneys will answer your question.
