We all know that dog bites can be painful, but did you know that they can also lead to long-term physical and emotional damage?
This blog explores the possible injuries a dog bite could inflict, and it discusses prevention against these accidents. It’s important to understand the potential risks when interacting with dogs, even when they seem friendly and docile.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can be very dangerous, causing both pain and potentially life-threatening complications.
Commonly seen injuries include:
- Lacerations, which are large, ragged tears along the skin
- Puncture wounds, where the dog’s teeth penetrate the skin, leaving holes
- Muscle damage, as powerful jaws can cause serious structural damage to the area around the bite
All of these injuries pose serious medical concerns, and they require immediate medical attention to prevent infection or other long-term risks. All dog bites are serious, as their severity may not always be immediately apparent.
Infections
Dog bites can lead to a more serious problem than just what you see on the outside. Bacteria or parasites in an animal’s mouth can transfer to your wounds, leading to infection.
Common dog bite infections include:
- rabies
- tetanus
- pasteurellosis
- other bacterial infections
Seek immediate medical attention if you see any symptoms associated with infections. Left unchecked, infections can cause severe internal damage. Rabies, for instance, can result in cognitive disorders if not handled early.
Psychological Trauma Associated with a Dog Bite
Dog bites can lead to serious, genuine psychological issues, especially in children.
Dog bites can lead to chronic feelings of:
- fear
- anxiety
- depression
These traumatic effects can cause nightmares, flashbacks, and triggers, symptoms common to anyone who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Some traumatized by a dog bite may become anxious around all types of pets or animals. Children can develop agoraphobia, or a fear of going outside. They may associate the outdoors with danger and would rather stay safe at home.
Steps to Take If You Suffer a Dog Bite
- Seek medical attention, preferably at in emergency room. Early treatment is the best defense against infection, scarring, and long-term injuries.
- Contact your local animal control department and report the incident, especially if the dog is loose, having no owner present.
- Contact law enforcement. Do this whether the dog is a pet or is wild. Doing so will help protect you legally lager.
- Collect any information you can on the responsible party, including their name or contact information. If possible, retrieve the dog’s license number.
- Take records of the incident including photos of your injuries and copies of all related documents.
Dog Bite Prevention
Educate yourself about canine body language. Doing so can help keep you safe from aggressive dogs. Learn how to identify signs of aggression, anxiety, or discomfort in a canine.
Read up when it’s time to move away or otherwise separate yourself from a situation before it escalates. Also, learn how to do so without aggravating the animal.
When meeting strange dogs, remember not to be too aggressive or invasive. Allow the dog to approach on its own terms and become comfortable with its surroundings first.
Finally, teach your children the basics of how to interact with these animals. Kids get excited when they see dogs. They must understand that they cannot run toward a strange dog, back it into a corner, try to pet it without allowing it to sniff them first, and so on.
Filing a Lawsuit for Dog Bite Injuries in Florida
To receive proper compensation for dog bite injuries, it is often necessary to file a lawsuit. If you choose to do this, act quickly. The statute of limitations for such a suit is four years. This may seem like a long duration, but your recovery and financial loss will take up a lot of time. Distracted, you may find that your window of opportunity has passed.
To begin the process, speak with an experienced attorney who can guide you through the claim and provide advice on how to receive the highest amount of financial relief. Moreover, they can advise you on other forms of legal action. You have a right to hold a negligent dog owner responsible for their negligent behavior.
Our team can help represent you if you’ve suffered from a pet attack. Schedule time with Law Offices of Jason K.S. Porter, P.A. today by reaching out online or calling (904) 701-0591.