Many children are not able to discern a threatening or dangerous dog. For this reason, a child might approach a dog without caution, leading to an attack. In another case, the breed of the dog and its aggressive nature may result in an attack for no apparent reason. Even so, dog attacks can occur with any size or breed, and unfortunately, children are most vulnerable.
Many injuries sustained from a dog bite are superficial and located on the face, neck and head. Yet, there are instances in which children can sustain debilitating injuries. Some are listed below:
- Deep Lacerations and Puncture Wounds
- Damage to Nerves
- Broken or Crushed Bones
- Permanent Scarring & Disfigurement
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Infection (including Rabies and Bacterial)
- Loss of Limb
- Death
What’s more, in an effort to escape an attack, a child may fall or dart into oncoming traffic, causing secondary harm. As if the physical damage was not enough, the emotional stress experienced by children attacked by a dog can affect them for years to come.
Safety Around Dogs reports that dog bite injuries are the second most frequent cause of visits to emergency rooms, when compared to nine other common childhood activities. Children between the ages of 5-9 are most susceptible to severe dog bites, and in a large majority of cases, the attacking dog is known by the child. In fact, for children aged 4 and younger, the attacking dog is often the family dog. These statistics provide a sobering perspective to the incidence of dog attacks.
Call The Dog Bite Attorneys At Burnside Law Firm
Burnside Law Firm has handled numerous dog bite cases in Augusta, Athens and Atlanta, with great familiarity in cases involving Pit Bull and Rottweiler attacks on children. If a dog has injured your child, the dog bite attorneys at Burnside Law Firm would like to help. Call today for a free case review!
Posted on behalf of
