What To Do If Your Child Is Bitten By A Dog In Phoenix

Cases of Children Being Bitten By a Dog On The Rise

The winter season is almost upon us, and with children being out of school for winter break, visiting friends, and out playing, the thought of being bitten by a dog is the last thing on any child’s mind. When school lets out, there will be certain dangers that they’re exposed to more so than when they’re in the classroom. And while it also may not be the first thing to cross your mind, one risk that you should be aware of is dog bites.

Children are not only more likely to be bitten by a dog, but they’re also more likely to receive more severe injuries due to their smaller size relative to the animal, compared to adults. The risks associated with being bitten by a dog go beyond what the teeth can do. Up to 18% of dog bites can lead to infection. This can be more dangerous than the initial injury, as even a small bite can transmit a disease like rabies, which, if not treated quickly and properly, can be incurably fatal to children.

How to Avoid Your Kids Being Bitten by a Dog

Whether you own a dog or not, these pets are a staple of many households in and around Phoenix. As domesticated and well trained as a dog may be, it’s absolutely vital that your children understand that dogs are animals that operate on instinct. Even a friendly dog can bite if it’s provoked. You should take a preemptive step and teach your kids that there is always a risk associated with animals and to never provoke a dog. Not only can aggravating a dog cause an aggressive response, but under Arizona law, if a dog can be proven to have been reasonably provoked, then the owner is not liable for the medical bills of your child. It’s also important to make sure your children are always well supervised around dogs whether in your own home or on another person’s property. The younger the child, the more important this supervision is.

If Another Person’s Dog Attacks

Because the extent of damage from being bitten by a dog can vary from drawing a little blood to life-threatening injuries, there’s no one set of directions to follow. However, in every case, it’s imperative to safely get your child away from the dog to prevent further injury. You should also start treating and disinfecting the wounds and call a medical professional for help. You also need to report the bite to Maricopa County Animal Control and find out who the owner of the dog is.

If the owner is taking appropriate care of their animal, they should have up to date medical records for their pet, so you can have a better understanding of what infections your child might be at risk for. Additionally, as long as the animal was not provoked, the owner may be responsible for the injuries your child has suffered.

Contact A Phoenix Dog Bite Law Attorney

Any injury litigation can become a challenging ordeal, and given the increasing costs of medical bills, it’s vitally important that you get the legal help you need to get the money you need. The ELG Accident Attorneys have years of experience handling dog bite lawsuits in Phoenix and will work to ensure that you are fully compensated for an unprovoked dog attack. We’ve won millions of dollars for our clients, and will aggressively defend your rights. Call ELG Accident Attorneys today if you’ve been bitten by a dog, and receive a free consultation at (623) 877-3600.