Arizona Dog Bite Blog

There are plenty of resources in Mesa and the state for dog training to prevent bites. As personal injury attorneys, we know that dog owners have a responsibility to keep their dogs from biting others. Dog bites can be serious and result in lifelong scarring and pain and dogs who bite are often destroyed. The owner has a duty to protect other people as well as the dog itself by investing in professional training.

How to Train to Prevent Bites

Although it is not possible to prevent all bites, dog bite prevention through training is a good place to start. This training can include:

• Puppy classes that allow owners to start early in training their dogs against biting.
• Advanced classes for older dogs that remind them how to be obedient. Often, the more obedient the dog, the less likely it is to get out of control and bite.
• Socialization classes for interacting positively with other dogs as well as humans from an early age. When dogs are allowed to socialize, they are less likely to try to attack.
• Skills classes to release energy and concentrate on a certain skill, such as agility, fetching, or even swimming. This helps reduce their pent-up energy that can lead to biting.
• Obedience classes that teach owners to use muzzles, e-collars, and other control mechanisms may be the best option for some dogs. These tools can restrict their urge to bite and protect others from them.

As personal injury attorneys, we know that owners who enroll their dogs in these classes are less likely to experience a dog bite injury themselves or for anyone else.

Contact a Mesa Personal Injury Attorney

The best Mesa dog bite injury attorneys know that victims want to make sure no one is ever hurt by the dog again. The Husband and Wife Law Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. works to hold the dog owner or handler responsible for the dog bite as well as collect a settlement from them that pays for our client’s expenses, including medical bills and more. Contact us for a free consultation.

As Arizona dog bite injury attorneys, we were shocked to hear that a woman had to fight off at least three dogs that attacked her and the dog she was walking on December 14, according to a news report in AZ Central. She was walking east of the city when the dogs attacked. The pack included a boxer and a white pit bull. A resident in the area as well as eight others attempted to help the woman. One resident fired a gun at one dog, hitting it and making all the dogs run off. The woman had to be transported to the hospital with injuries to her face and head.

Arizona Dog Bite Injury Statistics

As Arizona dog bite injury attorneys, we know that dog bites can be serious and even fatal. According to two separate studies, there are approximately 17 to 30 fatal dog bite injuries in the United States every year. According to AZHealthInfo.org, there were 10,857 dog bites in Pima County, and 28 percent of those bites injured or maimed children between the ages of 2 and 12 years. The study listed Rottweilers and pit bulls as the breeds linked to the most severe dog attacks.

Protect Yourself from Sierra Vista Dog Bite Injury

According to AZHealthInfo.org, you should not run away or scream if you encounter a ferocious dog. Instead, it is less likely you will be seriously injured if you stand still and remain quiet. If the dog jumps on you, remain still with hands at your sides. Finally, if you are knocked down, curl into a ball and cover your ears and face with your hands. If you are concerned about certain dogs in your area, carry pepper spray and report any sighting of off-leash, ferocious dogs immediately to your local animal authority.

Arizona Dog Bite Injury Law

Arizona is one of the few states that abide by the principle of strict liability. This means the state does not support the “one free bite” law that many other states follow. When a dog bites a person, the owner is liable for the injury and the costs associated with it. However, the victim must file a suit within one year.

Contact a Sierra Vista Personal Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one receives a dog bite injury, contact an experienced Sierra Vista personal injury attorney immediately. The Husband and Wife Law Team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. has years of experience representing victims of serious dog bite injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.

An experienced Mesa dog bite lawyer will know how to investigate a dog bite case. Some dog bite claims are very simple, but more often than not the claim will be complex because of dog bite laws in Arizona.

Dog Bite Statistics

Every day, there are approximately 1,000 people who require medical treatment in the United States due to dog bites. On average, 80% of the attacks made by dogs induce bodily harm.

Arizona State Dog Bite Law

Under Arizona dog attack law, the one who is liable in a dog bite injury is the owner of the dog and at times it can be the person who was responsible for watching the dog, as well. The owner or caretaker of the dog is liable even if the bite happened outside of the property of the dog owner. Further, a dog owner is responsible even if the dog never bit anyone previously and even if the dog owner would never had any evidence that the dog would be prone to bite.

Contact a Professional Arizona Dog Bite Attorney

A professional Arizona dog bite lawyer will know how to win your dog bite injury claim. Every case is different, but it is especially important to know the dog bite laws and statutes in Arizona. In Arizona, it is advantageous to sue or settle your claim within the first year. There are other laws that Arizona has as well that can benefit the victim if the lawsuit is filed within a certain time. Many attacks result in dog bite scarring and an experienced lawyer who deals with dog bite injury claims will know how to gain maximum recovery for scarring to innocent individuals who are bit by a dog. For a free consultation on your dog bite injury claim call us today.

As dog bite injury lawyers in Phoenix who help a lot of people who have been bitten by a dog, we know that there are many dogs biting innocent individuals. There are many reasons why a dog might bite a person. Typically dogs bite because they may be scared or may want to show their aggression and dominance. Some dogs do “play-bite” to show their affection and it leads to a dog bite injury. Dogs who are not around children a lot may bite at a child so it is important if you have children and go in an environment where there is a dog that you ask if the dog is used to children. Many times even when dogs are used to children, children are still apt to be bitten by a dog. If a dog is in a new surrounding it may be more likely to bite an innocent person.

Dog Bite Statistics 2009

There were about 75 million dogs in the United States in the year 2009. In 2009, there were 32 fatal dog attacks. This number remains consistent throughout the years. Of these attacks, 63% of the attacks are children who are 11 years old and younger and 38% are adults.

Arizona Dog Bite Law

The revised statutes under section 11-1020 and 11-11023, which state the Arizona dog attack laws, impose liability for the dog owner to be responsible when their dog bites. This statute imposes liability on the owner of the dog even when the dog has never shown tendency to bite anyone prior to the dog bite incident.

Contact an Arizona Dog Bite Lawyer

If you or a loved one are bitten and injured by a dog, it is important to consult with a lawyer in Arizona who represents victims of dog bites. Dog bite claims can be complex because the statute of limitations can vary. You want to make sure if you have been bitten by a dog that you talk to an attorney who handled dog bite claims on a regular basis. For a free consultation from experienced Arizona dog bite lawyers, call (60) 267-1280. You can allow follow us on our Arizona Law Team Twitter account for firm news and additional topics of interest.

As Mesa dog bite lawyers, we have handled many cases where a dog bite victim is left with a very serious disfigurement. Many times, although doctor’s try their best, a dog bite leaves a victim with a disfigurement that is permanent. For females especially, a dog bite injury can be devastating. Even for males, a serious disfigurement from a dog bite attack can be a life-altering experience. Permanent scarring from a dog bite attack can be emotionally difficult for any one, any age.

Dog Bite Statistics

There were approximately 4.5 million reports of dog bites every year and one in every five of those bitten will require medical attention. Actually, 80% of dog attacks induce bodily harm and 75% result in maiming.

Arizona State Dog Bite Law

Arizona has what is a called strict liability for dog attacks when it comes to the law. For these cases, there is usually a one year statute of limitations. For dog bite cases in Arizona, you can file after the one year statute, however, you risk losing very serious legal consequences. Discussing the statute of limitations with an experienced Arizona dog bite lawyer is something that should be done immediately as you do not want to miss the statute of limitations or give up valuable claims.

Liability Issues in Arizona Dog Bites

For owners who have dogs, it is important to exercise caution, especially if there are other people or strangers in the house. It would be best if the dog was chained or in a cage when people visit the house. When children are around, pet owners should also be more careful.

Contact an Experienced Arizona Dog Bite Lawyer

An experienced lawyer can answer all your questions if you have suffered dog bite disfigurement and injury. The statute of limitations can vary in dog bite cases and it is especially important that you talk to an attorney who understands dog bite law in Arizona. For a free consultation on your injury case as a result of a dog bite in Arizona, call (602) 267-1280.

While dogs are often sweet and loving animals, they have the ability to cause serious harm if they attack. While these attacks are often unexpected, there are ways to help prevent such incidents and to identify threats. While it is impossible to be 100% safe against dog attacks, the following tips can help reduce the likelihood of one happening to you or your family.

• To protect children: To prevent child dog bite injury, teach them to never approach a dog on their own, even if the handler is present. Children should ask their parent and the dog handler for permission to pet the dog, lightly pet the side of the dog’s neck, and tuck in their hands and avoid eye contact if the animal is loose or excited.
• When encountering unknown dogs: Never stare into their eyes, put your face up to their face, go near them when they are eating or drinking, try to take something away from them, or approach and pet them when they are tied up, behind a fence, or in a car.
• Special circumstances: Do not try to break up a fight between dogs or interact with dogs that are sleeping, resting, very old, injured, or with puppies, as they will be naturally more defensive and could attack.
• If attacked: Curl up on the ground with your legs tucked under you, your head facing the ground, and your hand behind your head to protect your face and neck.

Identifying Canine Body Language

These are some easy-to-spot signs that will show you the attitude of a dog:

• Dangerous dog: Ears forward, mouth closed, and an intense look on his or her face.
• Safe dog: Panting, happy-looking, and wagging his or her tail with enthusiasm.
• About to bite: Growling, baring teeth, raising back fur, frozen in place and staring, and/or holding his or her tail high in the air.

While all of these steps can help prevent dog bites, such attacks may still occur and could result in serious injuries. If you or a loved one has been harmed by another’s dog, the Scottsdale dog bite injury attorneys with The Breyer Law Office, P.C. can represent you in your injury lawsuit. For more information, call our offices at (480) 753–4534 for a free case consultation.

Getting attacked by a dog is a traumatic experience for anyone, but getting bit by a rabid dog or a dog whose rabies status is unknown is absolutely devastating. Knowing how to handle such a bite can help save your life or the life of someone close to you.

Wound Care

If you are bitten by a dog that you suspect has rabies, wash the wound immediately with soap and water. Then, seek medical attention so that a licensed health care provider can assess your risk for rabies exposure.

Reporting a Bite

The procedure for reporting a dog bite in Arizona depends on the county in which you reside. Maricopa County, for example, requires citizens to report bites to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. When you report a bite, give the responding officer as much detail as possible, including the dog’s color, breed, size, and markings.

Rabies Risk

If you are bitten by someone’s pet dog, the risk of rabies is unlikely. The School of Veterinary Medicine at Louisiana State University recommends that the animal be confined and observed for 10 days to look for any signs of illness. If you are bitten by a stray dog, however, LSU recommends that the animal be euthanized so that it can be tested for rabies. If it tests positive, you should begin post-exposure rabies treatment immediately. Post-exposure treatment involves the administration of HRIG – human rabies immune globulin – in a series of shots. These shots can cause redness and soreness, but additional adverse effects are not common.

Arizona is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. This means that a dog’s owner is responsible for paying all medical expenses associated with a bite even if he or she was not negligent. If you or a loved one suffered a dog bite and need help getting compensation for your medical expenses, the Phoenix dog bite attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. can help. Call us at (602) 457-6222 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

As experienced Surprise dog bite lawyers, we know that dog attacks can be vicious. Based on a report from AZ Central, a woman was seriously injured after she was attacked by two pit bull dogs in Surprise. Bystanders tried to help the woman but were also injured by the dogs in the process. An off-duty police officer shot and killed the dogs. The woman was flown to a hospital for treatment. We are sorry to hear about this incident and we hope for a speedy recovery of the injured woman.

Arizona Dog Bite Statistics

Dog bites are the cause of many serious injuries in Arizona. According to reports from independent researchers, many dog bites are preventable. Interestingly, most dog bites occur in the dog’s home. While children under the age of 14 are usually the ones most vulnerable to dog bites, adults are also vulnerable just the same. Rottweiler and Pit Bulls are the breeds most linked to severe attacks.

Arizona Dog Bite Law

In Arizona, there is a law for dog bites that says the owner is liable for injuries inflicted by their dog whether on private or public property. Dog owners have strict liability in the case of dog bites, regardless of the fault on the part of the owner. That is, if your dog bites someone, as the dog owner you will be held liable unless you can prove that the victim provoked your dog.

Contact an Experienced Arizona dog bite lawyer.

An experienced Arizona dog bite lawyer should be contacted in case of injuries from a dog bite. In Arizona, there is a short statute of limitations for dog bite claims. Typically, it is best if you call an Arizona dog bite lawyer soon after the injury because it is important to have information on the dog. Unlike car accidents, with dog bite claims, it is much easier for dog owners to disappear and hide the information on the dog. Dog owners also tend to be very protective of their dog. For a free consultation on your Arizona dog bite claim, call Alexis and Mark Breyer of Breyer Law Offices, P.C. at 602-457-6222. You can also follow us on our Arizona Law Team Twitter account for news and other information of interest.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains statistical records regarding dog bites in the United States and offers information on preventing bites for those in the highest-risk groups. The current statistics are troubling, as dog bite incidents result in nearly 1 million injuries that require medical attention each year. Learn who is at risk and take steps to prevent bites any time you are in the vicinity of an unfamiliar dog.

The CDC says approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the U.S. Out of these 4.5 million bites, about 885,000 require medical attention. Dog bites can cause abrasions, cuts, deep lacerations, and crushing wounds. If an attack is severe, it can also lead to fractured bones, puncture wounds, and disfigurement. The CDC reports that more than 30,000 people had to undergo reconstructive surgery as the result of dog bites in 2006.

Although the rate of dog bite injuries in children seems to be decreasing, children ages 5 to 9 are still one of the groups with the highest risk. Children with dogs in their homes are at a higher risk of being bitten than those without dogs. Even if a dog is generally docile and loving, a child pulling on its tail or playing with its food can be enough to provoke aggression.

Dog owners are responsible for their pets’ behavior at all times. If you or your child sustained an injury due to a dog attack in someone else’s home or in your neighborhood, contact the experienced dog bite attorneys in Arizona at The Breyer Law Offices, P.C. We will work hard to help you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Call us at (602) 457-6222 to schedule a free and confidential review of your case.

The editor of Animal People, Merritt Clifton, has compiled a study of dog attacks by collecting press accounts of dog bites in the U.S. and Canada from 1982 to 2010. He also compiled a list of dog breeds ranked by the number of deaths they caused during this period and documented the number of dog attack injuries and maimings caused by each breed.

Pit Bull Terrier
Pit bull terriers were responsible for 166 deaths from 1982 to 2010, the highest amount out of the 10 breeds. They caused 1,552 cases of bodily harm and 859 maimings.

Rottweiler

The second dog breed on this list caused less than half the number of deaths caused by pit bulls with 73 deaths, which is still a significant number. Rottweilers were responsible for 457 cases of bodily harm and 246 maimings.

Husky
Husky dogs were responsible for a total of 21 deaths, 56 cases of bodily harm, and 14 maimings during the research period. Huskies can be very protective, which may explain some of these attacks.

Wolf Hybrids
Wolf hybrids seem like an attractive option because of their appearance and features. Unfortunately, these hybrids may retain some of the characteristics of wolves, which means they may attack children and adults. Wolf hybrids were responsible for 19 deaths, 46 maimings and 82 cases of bodily harm during this study.

Bullmastiff
Bullmastiffs love to act as guard dogs, often inspecting guests by blocking the door and investigating them before they enter the house. This guard dog mentality may be responsible for some of the attacks perpetrated by this breed during the study. Bullmastiffs were responsible for 9 deaths, 31 maimings and 58 cases of bodily harm.

When a dog attacks you or a loved one, the attack can lead to serious injuries, disfigurement, or even death. If you or a family member suffered a dog bite attack in someone else’s home or place of business, the Arizona dog bite attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. will work hard to help you recover money for your medical expenses and any needed rehabilitation services. For a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, call us at (602) 457-6222.