According to Dogbites.com, there are nearly 1,000 people bitten by dogs per day, and many of these people end up being hospitalized after the dog bite. And according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, some injuries occur after the dog bite as well, as a jogger or biker could fall and be injured.
Another big concern is that almost more than half of these accidents happen to children under the age of twelve. Another concern is that “People more than 70 years old comprise 10% of those bitten and 20% of those killed.”
Some of those in groups often attacked by dogs are mail carriers. In an article by Fox 13, the U.S. Postal Service has rising concerns, as dog bites have risen by 180% since last year. Their cases are now higher than 6,000 throughout the nation.
While most people believe that their dog would never hurt anyone, there is always a chance that someone intruding on their home and space they could feel the need to attack.
The USPS employee safety and health awareness manager, Leann Theriault, said that the best way for dog owners to help protect all mail carriers is by taking full responsibility for their dog’s actions. This can be done through teaching your dog behavior and commands that they follow implicitly. Also, not allowing your dog to roam around freely, will protect the mail carriers.
One USPS carrier stated that since most mail carriers come around the same time, it could be easy for dog owners to bring the dog inside or secure them while the mail is being delivered.
Fox 13 made note to say that dog bites can be very detrimental to those who are bitten. For example, after getting bitten, the victims will have medical bills, both for injuries and potential therapy. There are also costs of lost wages, if the mail carrier is unable to work while recovering or missing work for medical care.
There is also the pain and suffering that comes from the anxiety of potentially encountering another dog and getting bitten again.
If a mail carrier feels that they are unsafe delivering mail to a home, they can cut off delivery. This would mean these people would need to pick up their mail from the post office.
To prevent any legal proceedings or complications, everyone should make sure to be aware of their pets, and especially dogs.
What Should You Do After A Dog Bite?
After a dog bite, there are a few things that you should do right after. According to DogsBite.com, there are 5 steps you should immediately take.
Talk to the Owner
After a dog bite, you should find the owner and speak with them. This way, you can get their information and make sure that the dog has their rabies vaccination. If you are not able to get this information, you might need to get a rabies shot. These shots can cost anywhere from $1,200-$6,500. If you have the owners’ information, you can follow up with them after the incident if your doctors have more questions.
Seek Medical Care
Go get care as soon as you can. A dog bite could mean you are at risk for an infection, or even rabies. If you go without this care, you might miss getting the right care and increase your chance of a serious injury. Depending on the severity of the injury, you might need stitches or even skin grafting.
File a Report
You should call the authorities and let them know about the dog bite. Even if the dog bite was minor, the authorities will make note of the bite. This will mean that if someone else is attacked by the dog, the authorities will have a record and know if the animal is a threat to the community. Also, if you have a report to pull from, it can make creating a case with an attorney easier.
Collect More Information
You can gather more information about the dog to see if the dog is dangerous. You can get these records from the dog’s license. This will be important for pursuing a case.
Document Your Injuries
You should take pictures of your injuries, from the time they happen until they have healed. You also should document any scars that occur. You also could include pictures of where the accident occurred and potentially pictures of the dog if you are able to. This information will be important for pursuing a case
FLICKINGER BOULTON ROBSON WEEKS
If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog, you might have a case. You can contact our office at (801)-500-4000 or visit us at our Provo and South Jordan offices for a free consultation. Dog bites can cause a lot of damage both mentally and physically. Getting help afterwards can be easy with an attorney at Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks.
