Fortunately, cases of truly vicious dog attacks are extremely rare, especially considering that there are an estimated 54 million dogs in the United States.  Yet dog bites are among the leading cause of traumatic injury.  Close to 5 million people, mostly children under age 10 are bitten every year by dogs in the United States, including about 800,000 cases serious enough to require medical attention and 6000 hospitalizations.

Children are not only the most likely to suffer a bite but also are 2 to 3 times as likely to suffer serious injury from a dog.  Unfortunately, most people believe that the greatest danger comes from stray dogs.  However, 70% of dog bites occur on the dog owner’s property.  Often, the dog is the beloved family pet and the victim is a child known to the dog.

Owners often miss the warning signs of a dog that may be trouble.  It is important to remember that no dog is absolutely safe.  Aggression is a normal means of communication between dogs.  When that aggression is directed toward people, serious injuries can occur.

Follow these simple precautions to avoid being bitten:

• Do not approach an unfamiliar dog, even if it looks friendly
• If an unfamiliar dog approaches you, stand “like a tree” with your hands at your sides
• Never run from a dog; it may think you are playing or look upon you as prey
• If a dog knocks you down, roll into a ball and stay still covering your ears and face
• Don’t look a dog right in the eye
• Don’t disturb a dog that is eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies
• Know the warning signs; growling, raised lip, or hair raised on the back, that might indicate a dog is ready to bite
• Teach children not to play with dogs unless supervised by an adult
• Teach children to tell adults if they see a strange dog or a dog acting strangely

If you or someone you know is bitten, seek emergency medical attention immediately.  If the dog is known to you make sure to get a full immunization history and have this on hand when seeking treatment.  If the dog is not known to you immediately write down a description of the dog and the area where the dog was last seen.  This will make it easier for the authorities to locate the dog.

Maryland has a dog bite statute which places strict liability on the dog owner if the dog has a prior history of vicious behavior. A dog owner is also responsible for any injury the dog causes if the dog has no history but the owner did not properly control their dog. There are a few exceptions: such as if the injured person was teasing or tormenting the dog or if the injured person was trespassing on the dog owner's property. Maryland law also protects those injured by a dog but not actually bitten. Being jumped on, knocked-down or chased by a dog could be grounds for a case.

If you or a loved one is the unfortunate victim of a serious injury resulting from a dog please call our office for a free consultation.