Dog Bite

Many Maryland residents may not think getting bitten by a dog is something to be concerned about. However, more than 4 million people each year in the United States are bitten by a dog, and 800,000 of these victims have to receive medical attention for the bite. In addition, children are the most likely to be severely injured in a dog attack, which typically occurs when the child is doing everyday activities, such as playing, and interacting with a dog he or she already knows.

Getting a new dog is very exciting, but new owners must remember that they are responsible for properly training and socializing their pet to prevent a potentially dangerous attack. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) offers the following suggestions for dog owners to prevent dog bites:

• Train your dog. Teaching your dog basic commands, such as “sit,” “no,” or “come,” helps your dog to learn proper behavior and what is expected of him or her. Try incorporating the commands into fun activities with your new pup.
• Give your dog the physical activity it needs. Walking your dog provides mental stimulation, physical exercise and helps to keep your dog healthy. In addition to getting the proper amount of physical exercise, proper healthcare such as getting all necessary vaccinations, can make a big difference in how your dog acts and feels.
• When in public … always use a leash to maintain control of your dog. Also, never put (or keep) your dog in a position where it feels threatened or teased, like when a child becomes too playful with your canine or begins taunting it.
• Don’t excite your dog. Avoid playing highly excitable games with your pet, like tug-of-war, chase or wrestling.
• If you plan to keep the dog outside … make sure your fence and gates are secure.

It is important for all MD dog owners to take necessary precautions to help prevent dog bites, but some owners may not be as conscientious, leading to an innocent person becoming a victim of a dog attack. If you or family member has been bitten by a dog, the dog bite injury lawyers in Bowie with Alpert Schreyer, LLC can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and hold the negligent dog owner legally accountable. Call (866) 444-6363 for a free consultation.

WBAL TV Baltimore is reporting that a 6-year-old girl was attacked by a pit bull at her Rosedale home on Monday. The girl was playing in the 2300 block of Bluegrass Heights when the pit bull ran across the street and attacked her. The girl says the dog bit her leg and shook it around, “trying to bite my skin off.” The girl’s mother was shocked when she saw her daughter lying on the ground with a large gash in her leg. The girl was initially taken to Franklin Square Hospital, but she was transferred to Johns Hopkins. The wound required 40 stitches.

The owner of the pit bull says the dog was in the house just before the attack. When he heard a noise outside, the dog burst through the door and ran across the street. The incident has sparked an investigation by the health department and resulted in $700 in fines for the owner. Officials impounded the dog. The girl’s mother says she plans to press charges against the dog’s owner.

Pit bull attacks are often responsible for serious injuries. The breed has a bad reputation, not necessarily because these dogs bite people more often, but because the damage they cause is often severe. An attack by a pit bull usually causes serious injuries because of the breed’s strength. Their strong jaws can clamp down on a victim and cause serious wounds.

Dog owners have a responsibility to keep their dogs from attacking others. Whether that means keeping the dog in a fenced-in yard or reinforcing screen doors so dogs cannot break through them, the responsibility falls on the owner to take these precautions. If you or your child suffered serious injuries due to a dog bite attack, contact the Maryland dog bite injury attorneys at Alpert Schreyer. We will work hard to help you recover the compensation needed to cover medical expenses and other costs associated with the attack. Schedule a free and confidential consultation by calling (301) 932-9997 or toll free at (800) 301-7172.

Four children were injured recently when a dog chased them onto their school bus and bit them, according to a news report from MyFoxDC.

The children, who were elementary school students, were waiting at their bus stop in Clinton, Maryland, when they were approached by a large and aggressive American bulldog. According to the bus driver, the children got on the bus to avoid the dog, but the dog followed, biting one of the children from the bus stop as well as others who were already on the bus. A Prince George’s County police officer responded to the 911 call for help and shot the dog.

The injured children were taken to Southern Maryland Hospital where they received treatment for bites and bruises. Some of the children required stitches, but all four were able to go home with their parents the same day. The Prince George’s County Health Department was unable to determine whether or not the dog had rabies, and the department has recommended that the children bitten in the Maryland dog attack be tested for the disease.

Although human cases of rabies caught from a biting dog are rare, dog bites are far too common. Nearly 800,000 people each year are bitten by a dog, according to the CDC. Many of them are children, and many others require medical attention from a hospital or urgent care center. If you or your child has suffered a dog bite injury, the experienced Maryland dog bite lawyers at Alpert Schreyer can help you seek compensation from those whose negligence may have caused the injury. For a free and confidential case evaluation, call Alpert Schreyer, LLC today at 301-932-9997 or toll free at 800-301-7172.