Dog attacks are more common in New Mexico than in some parts of the country. This is mostly because people tend to have houses and yards where many dogs are kept.
Throughout any given year, the dog bite attorneys at Whitener Law Firm regularly see dog bite claims.
WHO IS AT RISK OF A DOG ATTACK?
The most common type of dog bite claims we see at Whitener Law Firm are postal service workers, and on occasion, ambulance drivers.
This is because these individuals are entering an area that the animal has claimed as his territory. Nevertheless, they are not the most common victims of dog bites.
Young children are most frequently the victims of dog attacks. This is particularly true for children between the ages of five to nine years old. Children at this age may play inappropriately with dogs or make them feel threatened.
WHAT DOGS ARE AT RISK OF ATTACKING?
There are many opinions regarding whether special breeds of dogs have a propensity to attack. It seems there can be no doubt that some dogs are inherently more aggressive and more capable of causing harm than others.
The reality is that most dog owners buy dogs based on these innate qualities of different breeds. Nobody uses a golden retriever or an English Springer Spaniel as a guard dog and most people don’t choose a Rottweiler or a German Shepherd as a baby’s first pet.
Male dogs tend to be more aggressive and are also more likely to attack than female dogs. Most dog bites occur in the home or where the dog is protecting its territory. This means that the offending dog is a family pet, or the owner is a friend or neighbor. I
t may seem surprising, but bites from stray dogs are rarer because strays are often wary of humans and usually keep their distance. They are less likely to be guarding territory.
INJURIES AND HEALTH EFFECTS OF DOG BITES
Dog attacks can be very serious. It is common for animals to tear flesh during an attack. This can lead to scarring and permanent injury to a body part.
Besides scarring, the most common complication following a bite is an infection of the wound after the attack. This is especially true if the skin surrounding a wound becomes tender, painful, swollen, or inflamed in the days following the animal attack.
Germs and bacteria can enter the bloodstream through a wound and cause a serious infection in the body.
Whenever there is an animal attack, it is important to seek medical treatment from a doctor as soon as possible. By visiting a doctor, the victim can decrease their chances of getting an infection.
See a doctor if you feel unwell after a bite or have a fever, shivers, or other worrying symptoms within a week or so after a dog or cat bite.
It is also important to be aware that an animal that has not had its rabies vaccination may potentially be carrying the canine parvovirus or rabies virus and victims who are unsure if the animal is vaccinated should consult a doctor. Rabies results in the death of almost 55,000 people worldwide each year and the vast majority of cases are transmitted by a dog bite.
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, call Whitener Law Firm to find out what we can do to get you the money you deserve. For a free consultation regarding a personal injury claim, contact us at 505-883-7877.
There is NO FEE unless we win your case.