Cases We Accept

• Vehicle Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Child Injury & Abuse
• Birth Injuries
• Wrongful Death Lawsuits
• Defective Products & Liability

Blog

Child Injury & Abuse

• Even More Cribs Recalled Due to Suffocation Hazard
• More Strollers Recalled Due to Fingertip Injuries

View All

Latest News

• Massachusetts Researchers Reveal New Information on SIDS...Posted on 2/5/2010
• Three Men Indicted in Boy’s Uzi Death at Gun Fair...Posted on 12/19/2008

View All

Library

Child Injury & Abuse

• Serious Bicycle Injuries: What to Do (Part A)
• Serious Bicycle Injuries: What to Do (Part B)

View All

Dog Bite Injuries a Serious Problem Among Children

Dog bites among children are a serious world health problem, according to the most recent report on children's injuries by the World Health Organization and UNICEF.

In Australia and the United States, there is a high incidence of dog bites among children, mostly between ages 4-9. Children at these young ages are small and tend to get their faces close to dogs, which results in common dog bite injuries to the face and neck. Fortunately, dog bites are rarely fatal, but the high incidence of dog bites is worrisome and can result in serious injuries.

Dog bites rank second as the leading cause of injuries to children ages 0-17. UNICEF recently partnered with The Alliance for Safe Children and institutions in several Asian countries to conduct community surveys of dog injuries, since it has been more difficult to collect data on dog bites in lower and middle income countries. This data shows the animal-related injury rate is 380 per 100,000 population.

According to the data collected, most of the injuries to children occurred when they were playing with or near the dog, while the second highest number of incidents involved passing by or walking the dog.

Dog Bite Injuries and Rabies

In poor countries, dog bites may also include rabies. Rabies has been endemic in
India, China, and many parts of Africa. According to the WHO report, rabies is the tenth most common cause of death worldwide and 30-60% of the victims of dog bites in these endemic areas are children under age 15. It is difficult in these countries to provide rabies treatments because there is a shortage of the medicine and it is expensive.

Preventing Dog Bite Injuries to Children

Children can be taught how to behave when they are around dogs so they don't unwittingly provoke an attack. Parents should teach their children these dog safety tips:

• Do not approach dogs when they are eating
• Do not try to stop a dog fight
• Let a dog sniff you to get used to you before you try to pet it
• Don't run away from a dog because it will chase you
• Stay calm around dogs, don't be loud or move suddenly
• Don't try to hug or kiss a dog
• Don't look directly in the dog's eyes, they see it as aggression
• If attacked, tell the child to stand still and protect their neck and face

Pet owners should also be alert when their dog is around children and make sure the encounter is safe and friendly.

When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you’ve obtained, and do you have experience with dog bite injuries? The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts takes time when speaking with you about your case and works with you on a contingent basis so there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury lawyers wins your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation of your case – 1-800-410-2769.