Why Do Dogs Bite People in Arizona?

Dogs are beloved pets across the country and there are approximately 78 million who reside in homes with their families in the United States. Each year, there are millions of bites that take place from dogs. Out of these millions of incidents, over 800,000 people will require medical treatment for their wounds. While not every dog is prone to bite, dogs are still animals which can be unpredictable. If you have been bitten by a dog, it is important that you have your injuries seen by a medical professional immediately. Waiting on treatment puts you at increased risk for serious infection. Additionally, meeting with an Arizona dog bite attorney is important to discuss your legal options when it comes to pursuing compensation after your Arizona dog bite.

What Causes a Dog To Bite?

Dogs bite for many reasons. Some of the motivations behind a dog’s aggressive behavior include:

• Feeling threatened or scared.
• As a reaction to a stressful environment or situation.
• To defend or protect their owners or their puppies.
• They may nip without intention to harm during play.
• Protecting the home or territory.
• To secure their food while they are eating.
• As a reaction to being startled.

.It is important to remember these prompts so that you can avoid putting yourself in a potentially dangerous situation around a dog. Also, never intentionally provoke or antagonize a dog. This behavior could result in the dog attacking. Teaching your children to never approach an unfamiliar dog and to ask permission before petting a dog they see out and about is good practice.

While only 81% of bites result in minor injuries, anyone who is injured by a dog has legal rights to pursue compensation for the harm they endured. Dog bites can not only be painful and cause physical damage, but they can also result in death. Approximately 25% of fatal attacks were by dogs that were chained. Children, elderly adults, and postal workers are are the most common victims of dog bites. In 2018, close to 6,000 postal workers were victims of dog bites.

There are certain breeds that are more inclined to bite than others. Some of the most aggressive dogs in Arizona include:

• Pitbull
• Rottweiler
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• German Shepherd
• Bullmastiff
• Husky
• Boxer
• Great Dane
• Doberman
• Bulldog

Do You Need to Speak with an Arizona Dog Bite Attorney?

When you have been bitten and injured by a dog, you have the right to sue for compensation to help you pay for your medical costs as well as emotional trauma. Sometimes an agreement can be made between a victim and an owner where the owner will pay for your medical treatment. Other times, it is not as easy to come to an agreeable understanding with the owner. In Arizona, there is strict liability on the owner of the dog that attacks. The Phoenix dog bite attorneys at ELG will advise you of your legal rights after you have been bitten by a dog. Call the Phoenix personal injury attorneys at ELG today at (623) 877-3600 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.