Articles Posted in Dog Bite Attacks

The United States Postal Service ranks cities and states for the number of dog attacks on mail carrier. This is indicative of the level of the danger that people face from dogs in that area.

The bad news for Illinois residents is that Chicago and Cook County have the third-highest number of dog attacks on mail carriers of any city. The number of dog attacks went up almost 20% from 2018 to 2019. Illinois is also the fourth-worst dog bite state in the country.

Nationwide, the CDC estimates that 4.5 million people are attacked and bitten each year by dogs. The numbers have gotten worse as dogs have increased in popularity as pets. It seems that nearly everyone has at least one pet dog these days, and this means more dog attacks. While many dogs are peaceful and friendly, some are vicious dogs or aggressive dogs, posing a danger to the general public.

While dog-owners love their dogs and treat them with love and care, they are expected to extend the same courtesy to their neighbors. The absence of this attention to others results in daily conflicts between dog-owners and those who see the dog as a potentially dangerous threat to their children or even to adults.

Increasing numbers of dog-bite cases

Statistics regarding dog-bite cases in the US have been calculated on the basis of the number of patients who have been admitted in clinics and hospitals to receive dog-bite treatments. The numbers have risen by a whopping 86% between the years 1990 and 2008. Any dog irrespective of whether they live in the house or street is capable of displaying aggressive behavior when it they are confronted with a perceived threat. The extremely high number of dog-bite cases clearly indicates the fact that dog behavior is often observed to deviate from normal, predictable behavior patterns.

Woman Attacked Protecting Her Own Dog

In Allentown, Pennsylvania, Brenda Fernandez de Cordova was walking a friend’s Wheaten Terrier on a leash along neighborhood streets. They were approached by an American Bulldog-pit bull mix that immediately began showing signs of aggression. All attempts to deflate and exit the situation failed. The aggressive dog eventually attacked, intending to reach the terrier, but Brenda stepped in between them to prevent that and received serious defensive wounds all along her hand in the process.

Lasting Injuries

Dogs are extremely popular pets, with nearly half of American households owning one or more of them. They are also the cause of many homeowners’ insurance claims, with dog bites representing nearly one in five claims filed each year. The rise in the number of dog attack related claims shows that many dog owners are failing to properly train and control their animals or to supervise them while they interact with children or strangers. Just over half of these incidents involve an animal that the victim is familiar with in some way— such as the pet of a friend or family member.

Insurance Claims Top $600 Million in 2016 for Dog Related Incidents

Statistics over the last 13 years have shown a steady increase in the number of dog bites and the financial cost of providing compensation to victims. In 2003, just over $324 million in homeowners claims were paid out nationwide, with an average claim of $19,000. Last year, over $602 million was paid out to dog attack victims and the average claim was over $33,000. This is an increase of nearly 86%.

Animal experts have long known that there are usually some underlying factors when a good dog unexpectedly attacks humans and other animals. Aggressive behavior in dogs is a significant problem for owners that often stems from dominance and frustration. In some cases, dogs become frustrated because of a lack of opportunity to exercise. Acts of aggressive dominance are usually the result of a lack of leadership from a calm-assertive owner who takes the time to train the animal properly.

The Connection between Aggressiveness and Fear

Many dogs display fear/aggressive behavior that is often caused by inadequate exercise. This is because exerting physical activity burns off the canine’s excess energy while providing a healthier state of mind. Exercise is crucial for training because talking to the dog’s mind requires calming the animal’s state by removing energy from its body.

According to data compiled in 2008, nearly 75 million dogs have been welcomed into homes across the United States and these animals are often considered to be endeared members of our families. The Chicago dog bite attorneys of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC have taken on thousands of cases on behalf of clients who have had unpleasant encounters with dogs due to the irresponsible behavior of their owners, serving as a reminder that dog ownership comes with responsibility. To make your home safer and to reduce the chances that you or a loved one is involved in an attack, consider the following tips to reducing your risk of being involved in a dog attack.

Protecting Yourself and Children From Strange Dogs

It is much easier to predict the behavior of an animal that lives with you and has been the subject of your love and attentive training for its entire life. Other peoples’ dogs may not have received the same treatment and strays can be dangerous for a variety of reasons, including exposure to disease or a protective instinct. Consider the following tips for you and your family when encountering dogs you are not familiar with.

Approximately one out of every three liability claims made against insurance policies are due to dog bites or some form of dog attack and the cost of medical treatment for dog bites is soaring even though the number of incidents in 2014 was lower than in 2013. The total cost of claims made due to injuries brought on by dog attacks was $530 million nationwide. This highlights the need to continue to educate homeowners on how to properly train and supervise their animals in order to avoid being liable in the event the animals cause bodily harm to others.

Illinois in Top Five States by Instances of Dog Bites

California continues to lead the nation in dog bites due to its massive population and dog ownership rates. Almost 1900 claims were filed in California for a value of $62.8 million and while other states are doing far better, comparatively, there is still plenty of concern with the data. Illinois recorded 872 incidents and the average claim against the homeowner’s insurance was $34,894 per dog bite incident. Aside from California, only Ohio and New York reported more claims.

Every year, there are over 800,000 dog bites that occur in the U.S. About 67 percent of all fatal dog attacks involve the pit bull breed. Many children and adults receive serious bites to the face, arms and legs when they are involved in pit bull attacks. Even the most seemingly domesticated pit bulls can sporadically lash out at children and adults.