We have all heard the jokes about the postman and the dog, but the reality is that letter carriers are at a greater risk of dog bite attacks because they come in contact with a lot of animals during their daily duties.
According to a recently released report on dog bite statistics by the U.S. Postal Service, 5,577 postal employees were attacked in more than 1,400 cities in 2011.
Los Angeles topped the list with 83 postal employees attacked in 2011. Beyond the needless pain and suffering, medical expenses from dog attacks cost the Postal Service nearly $1.2 million last year.
But postal workers are not the only ones who suffer from dog bite attacks.
Kathy Voigt’s daughter Kelly was mauled by a neighborhood dog, which prompted the creation of Prevent The Bite, a non-profit organization that promotesdog biteprevention to young children.
Voigt says ”Children are three times more likely than adults to be bitten by a dog. Education is essential to keeping children safe from dog bites.”
American Academy of Pediatricians President Dr. Robert Block adds: “Parents, please don’t ever leave a young child unsupervised around any dog, even a dog well-known to your family. Even very young children should be taught not to tease or hurt animals. They need to know what to do to minimize the risk of being bitten.”
Dr. Michael Neumeister, president of the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, says: “Even the friendliest dog may bite when startled or surprised. Be cautious, once a child is scarred they are scarred for life. We hear this line all the time: ‘The dog has never bitten anyone before.’ A dog’s reaction to being surprised or angered is not predictable.”
Dr. René Carlson, American Veterinary Medical Association president, warns: “Any dog can bite. If it is physically or mentally unhealthy, is in pain, feels threatened, or is protecting its food or a favorite toy, it can bite. It is important to understand how dogs behave and how our behavior may be interpreted by a dog.”
If you or someone you love has been bitten by someone else’s dog make sure to document the injuries you incurred and consult an experienced attorney to see if you have grounds for a claim. The time you have to file a lawsuit is limited so it’s important that you do this without delay following a dog bite injury.
Feel free to contact our Los Angeles Law Firm via email at Info@ArashLaw.com or call us at 800-890-7375. One of our lawyers will be happy to assist with your personal injury or dog biting case.
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