While we love dogs, we know there are some whose tragic upbringing makes them violent. And when dogs attack, the damage can be expensive and traumatizing. At Darrell Castle & Associates, we represent violent dog attack victims, and we’ve seen it all.
Here are 5 things we think you should know to protect yourself and prevent a violent dog attack:
1. Know Who’s Responsible
The owner is always responsible for their animal. As a result, they can be held civilly liable if their dog attacks someone.
If a dog has aggression issues, the owner should protect other people — especially kids — from playing and interacting with it. On walks, they should also keep a muzzle on hand to prevent it from biting. And of course, they should keep the animal secure inside or behind a very strong fence.
Anything less than total safety could land them with a tragedy and a serious lawsuit.
2. Avoid Confrontation
When running or walking through your neighborhood, you should know in advance how to react to a loose or stray dog:
- Stay calm.
- Don’t yell or kick at the dog.
- Avoid direct eye contact.
- Stand sideways to make yourself a more narrow target.
- If you have one on you, use a cane or umbrella to place in front of you and claim your own space.
By following these steps, there’s a good chance the dog will lose interest in you, because you aren’t a threat to it. But it’s not a guarantee.
3. Tactics To Get Away From An Attack
First and foremost, always protect your face, chest and throat. Keep your hands in a fist to protect your fingers.
If a dog attacks, you want to escape with minimal damage. If you have any extra clothing on you — like a sweatshirt or jacket — you can use it to your advantage. You want the dog to latch onto something you can get away from. So take your arm out of your sleeve in hopes the dog will snatch that from you and be done. A shoe may also work.
If you’re bitten and the dog has latched on to you, pulling away too quickly can cause further injury. Instead, try to grab the dog’s back legs to lift it off the ground. This destabilizes the dog and may give you time to escape.
4. What To Do If You’re Injured
After calling 911 and getting medical attention, you should file a police report of the incident. You need a record of what happened and when. This will help you recover the cost of your injuries.
It’s important to remember a dog attack isn’t your fault. It’s the owner’s responsibility. In fact, sometimes insurance companies won’t even cover the cost of your injuries because they say the dog’s owner should have to pay instead from their homeowner’s insurance.
In that situation, you’ll be glad you reported the incident.
Find a Trusted Violent Dog Attack Lawyer in Memphis
After seeking medical treatment and filing a report, you’ll want to contact a personal injury attorney. An experienced attorney will work with the owner and insurance companies on your behalf.
For decades, we’ve helped our clients recover from violent dog attack cases in the Mid-South. We’re compassionate and kind while fighting to get you the compensation you need and deserve. And our clients agree.
Call (901) 327-1212 today for a free case evaluation or fill out the form below.