Champions For Injured Pennsylvanians

Should children know how to prevent dog bites?

On Behalf of | May 21, 2020 | Dog Bites |

Children often come into close contact with dogs. They may have a dog as a pet at home, and they may also visit friends’ houses who have dogs as pets. They are also likely to come into contact with dogs when playing on the sidewalk or in a park.

The majority of dogs are well-trained and not aggressive when they come into contact with children. However, parents should make sure that their child is aware of the possible risks that dogs pose. Dogs are ultimately unpredictable, and they can attack or bite suddenly and unexpectedly.

If your child has been injured by a dog, either at the home of a friend or in a public space, you may feel quite angry and upset by this. You may be questioning whether your child should have known more about how to prevent dog bites, or whether it was the responsibility of the dog owner to protect your child from harm.

Children should be informed

As a parent, it’s a good idea to educate your child on things that could potentially harm them. Even very young children should be aware that dogs can become aggressive. You should teach your children to avoid unknown dogs. Instruct your child on how to behave if a dog becomes aggressive. Kids should quietly walk away if they are confronted by an aggressive dog, and they should stand defensively like a tree if they are subject to an attack.

Dog owners are ultimately responsible for damages

While children should be educated, it is ultimately the dog owner’s responsibility to keep people safe from their pet. Therefore, if you can show that the dog owner’s failure to keep their dog under control led to your child becoming injured, it is likely that you will be able to make a claim for damages.

Claiming damages

If you’re successful in making a claim, you should be able to gain back damages for any medical costs incurred, as well as additional compensation for the pain and suffering caused.

Make sure that you do not hesitate to take action if your child has recently been bitten by a dog in Pennsylvania.

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