Why Dog Bites Are Often Fatal for Child Victims

Pets can make our lives more enjoyable. Whether you’re a cat or dog person (or even a lizard or fish person), your pet brings a certain level of joy and comfort. Despite this, animals can be unpredictable, even when well-trained and friendly.

While most parents never think about their child possibly being a victim of a dog bite from a pet, these injuries are one of the main causes of emergency room visits and fatalities among children. According to the National Humane Education Society, over 4 million people in the United States suffer from dog bites each year, and most of these victims are children between the ages of five and nine. Dog bites occur more often than playground, inline skating, or skateboarding accidents.

Why are children more prone to dog bites?

The DogSmith explains that when a dog feels threatened or frightened, they sometimes try to communicate this to the individual through their body language. However, a child may not understand the way that a dog communicates and continue to provoke the animal, causing the dog to eventually bite. The dog may be afraid or aggravated leading them to respond in this aggressive manner.

Children are usually unaware that animals and pets can be dangerous, causing them to approach stray animals or dogs that are unleashed. While it is the parents’ duty to educate their children about being cautious around stray or unknown dogs, a dog owner’s negligence can also cause or contribute to a dog bite accident. Here are several risks that make children more prone to dog bites:

• Children are not aware of the danger and will go up to an unfamiliar dog without caution.
• Children can be rough when playing, causing the dog to become anxious, afraid, or aggressive.
• Children often love puppies. However, if the mother of the puppies is around, she may become protective of her young.

Children cannot tell when a dog is uncomfortable, afraid, or angry. For example, if a dog’s fur becomes raised, the tail is tucked between its legs, and its teeth are showing, the child may not register these as warning signs that the dog is about to bite.

The types of injuries that result from dog bites

If a child is attacked by a dog and lucky enough to survive, they are likely to suffer severe and traumatic injuries, such as:

• Cuts, lacerations, and punctured skin
• Broken or fractured bones
• Eye or facial injuries
• Head injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck injuries
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Damage to the nerves
• Tissue damage
• Psychological and mental trauma
• Infections and rabies

Why are dog bites often fatal for child victims?

There are many reasons why commonly children are the fatal victims to dog bites. First and foremost, children have smaller bodies, limbs, and body parts. Therefore, if a dog decides to bite a child, they are likely to cause more devastating injuries than if the victim were an adult. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, dogs usually choose to bite a young child’s head or face and an older child’s upper extremities (arms, hands, shoulders, etc.).

Depending on how big the dog is, they may have the ability to do a lot of damage with one bite to the face or head. For example, a large St. Bernard has the potential to bite a child’s face one time and cause severe facial injuries to the eyes, cheeks, and mouth. However, a chihuahua has a smaller bite radius, meaning that it can still cause significant damage to the child, but it does not have the ability to extend to multiple areas.

When children are bitten by a dog, they also have a higher chance of developing infections from the bite. These infections make their way throughout the child’s body, causing life-threatening complications. If a parent decides that their child does not need to go to the hospital for their small puncture wound, the child’s infection may go unnoticed and untreated, which can be fatal.

Additionally, punctures to the head can cause traumatic brain injuries due to young children’s softer skulls. These types of injuries should be taken very seriously and treated immediately. If they are not treated promptly, the results are often fatal.

Are certain dog breeds more likely to bite than others?

There are certain dog breeds that are known to bite more than others. These dog breeds include:

• Pit bulls
• Bulldog
• Chihuahua
• German Shepherd
• Australian Shepherd
• Jack Russell Terriers
• Bull Terriers
• Lhasa Apso
• Cocker Spaniel
• Pekingese
• Papillon

It is important to know that not every one of these breeds will bite, but you and your children should take extra precautions around these breeds because they are often associated with causing severe and deadly wounds.

The compensation you can seek for your child’s dog bite

If your child was recently bitten by a dog, you may be eligible to file a dog bite claim and seek compensation for their injuries and losses. An attorney from McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP will communicate with the dog owner’s insurance company to find a resolution that works for you. If insurance is unavailable or the insurance company is unwilling to provide a fair award amount, our team will prepare to take your case to court. We will do everything possible to secure the compensation amount that we think your child needs and deserves. The following are some of the losses you may claim:

• Your child’s medical bills
• Your lost income if you have been out of work
• Your child’s counseling fees
• Your child’s pain and suffering
• Your child’s physical therapy costs
• Your child’s funeral and burial expenses if they passed away

A dog bite can be a terrifying and devastating experience for both parents and children. If the child survives the attack, they can suffer from cynophobia (a fear of dogs), experience severe scarring and disfigurements, and undergo surgeries and ongoing care for the rest of their lives. Therefore, it is essential that you speak with an experienced dog bite lawyer from McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP right away to learn about your legal rights and options when it comes to your child’s dog bite accident. We offer free, no-obligation consultations right here in Los Angeles. Call our office or submit our contact form today.