Why Predicting Dog Attacks is Difficult
Dogs are often friendly, but saying they are man’s best friend is quite the stretch. Some dogs are aggressive and can attack and seriously injure or kill a person if provoked.
Fatal dog attacks are not common. Although roughly 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year, only 81 people died from fatal dog attacks in 2021.
Several people were killed in dog attacks across the country last year. In March 2024, a dog fatally mauled a 3-month-old baby and seriously injured his parents in New Jersey. The pit bull was the family’s dog. It was put down after the attack.
Experts are trying to determine if it is possible to predict when a dog will attack. However, the number of annual fatalities from dog attacks is relatively small, so measuring year-to-year trends is not easy. There’s nothing meaningful statistically that you can do with the numbers if the trends change.
Still, scientists are trying to draw correlations. There were 256 dog bite-related deaths in the United States between 2000 and 2009. In 223 of those cases (87.1%), no able-bodied person who could intervene was there. So the victim was alone at the time. The second most common factor was the victim having an “incidental or no familiar relationship” with the dogs. So in more than 85% of cases, the dog and victim did not know each other.
Other factors in the study involved dogs’ previous treatment and interactions with humans. In most attacks, the dogs had been isolated from human contact. Most of the attacks involved male dogs who were not neutered.
In any case, dog owners can take precautions to avoid the risk of serious injuries and death in dog attacks. It’s important to understand that dogs typically bite as a reaction to something in their environment. A dog in a very stressful situation may bite to defend its territory. Dogs have also been known to bite because they’ve been very scared or startled. They may also feel threatened about something.
In some cases, dogs will bite to protect something, like their food or their pups. Pain or sickness can also trigger a reaction in dogs. Dogs who have been hit by a car or in some other painful accident may bite people who try to rescue them. They bite just because it hurts.
Small children are commonly the victims of dog bites and they tend to suffer more serious injuries. Parents need to teach kids how to interact with dogs. They should not be allowed to pet random dogs. Even lifelong dog lovers should always ask strangers before petting their dogs. Some dogs are scared of strangers and do not want to be petted.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
It’s scary to know that fatal dog bites are on the rise. Dog owners need to focus on proper training and families need to protect themselves.
Dog attacks can lead to life-changing consequences. Get the help you need from a Morristown dog bite injury attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff. We’ll help you understand your options for recovering financial compensation. Schedule a consultation today by calling (973) 455-1567 or filling out the online form.
Source:
usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/05/14/fatal-dog-attacks-rise-experts-prevention/73674396007/
