Although many dogs can be friendly, loyal, and loveable companions, aggressiveness is a natural part of their behavior. It is estimated that 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs every year and many of those bitten require medical attention due to the severity of the bite.
Reasons Why Dogs Bite
Did you know that most people are bitten by dogs that they interact with regularly and not just random dogs that approach them while they’re away from home? There are several reasons why a dog could be tempted to bite you. Some of these reasons include:
1. Possessiveness. Due to their nature, most dogs are adamant about protecting their “property.” This could be anything from one of their owners, food, or a favorite toy. If the dog feels like you are threatening their property, they may be tempted to bite.
2. Fear. Dogs bite when they are scared or startled by something in their surroundings.
3. Pain. Even the most friendly and good-natured dog may suddenly bite if they are in pain. If you are a dog owner and notice a negative change in your dog’s behavior, consider taking them to the veterinarian.
4. Prey. Many dogs are naturally tempted to chase people when they walk, run, or bike past them. Even though it may seem counterintuitive, stop moving if this ever happens to you. Once you are stopped, avoid making eye contact with the opposing dog. This could make the dog feel like you are challenging it.
Even though biting is often a natural part of a dog’s behavior, their bites can cause serious harm to humans.
When to Hire a Lawyer
If you were bitten by a dog and experienced bodily injury, we at Brent George Law can help you obtain the compensation you deserve to cover medical bills and emotional trauma. Although you can file a claim yourself instead of working with a lawyer, this can put you at a severe disadvantage. This is because insurance companies are still businesses that desire to make a profit instead of offering injured parties the amount of compensation they deserve. Some will even try to make you feel like you provoked the dog to bite you and that you are at fault.
When you hire Brent George you get a dog bite lawyer with experience in this legal realm which can help you manage the insurance company you work with accordingly to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve. The legal team here at Brent George Law can help you minimize the emotional distress caused by a dog bite and ensure that justice is served on your behalf.
