We’ve all seen a heartwarming film or two featuring a heroic dog that saves his beloved family from the evil in the world. Beethoven is an example of this family flick, the protagonist being a massive St. Bernard. Young families are often ridden with the incessant begging of their own kids after watching a movie like Beethoven, wanting a furry hero to call their own. The problem is that families need to do their research before making this big investment.
Unfortunately, the reality is that most dog bite victims are under 14-years-of-age. This means that there needs to be more education surrounding dogs, and bringing a new pet into a young family. It is best to bring a puppy into a family, because older dogs are unpredictable, and their behaviour has already been set. It is more difficult to re-train a dog, than to train the dog from the beginning. It is also important to find a breed that is going to fit your family lifestyle. There is a list of dogs deemed “family dogs,” and a list of more aggressive dogs to be aware of as well. It’s important to listen to the facts and statistics out there about dog bites and choose a dog that’s right for you and your family.
Preventing a Dog Bite
The best way to prevent a dog bite is education. Dog bite statistics give crucial information about the breeds more likely to attack people, whether they are properly trained or not. If you are bringing a new dog into your family, this is a list of aggressive dogs to avoid:
- Bull Terrier;
- German Shepherd;
- Cocker Spaniel;
- Great Dane;
- Chow Chow;
- Pit Bull;
- Collie;
- Rottweiler;
- Doberman Pinscher; and the
- Siberian Husky.
By avoiding these breeds, you are avoiding the risk of a dog bite attack from happening and saving yourself the trouble of filing a lawsuit for dog bite injuries.
Hiring a Toronto Personal Injury Lawyer
You can prevent dog bites in your home by avoiding aggressive breeds, but dog bites can be unavoidable if another dog is responsible. If your children are running around a strange dog, or attempting to pet a dog without letting the dog sniff them first, a dog bite can easily occur.
After a dog bite occurs, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately if the bite is serious. By taking phone numbers and names down from witnesses, and taking pictures of the bite and the environment, it will help your case if a lawsuit for the dog bite is filed. A Toronto personal injury lawyer will ensure that you receive the best advice and care after the injury occurs. They will fight for your case, open up a lawsuit for the dog bite, and fight for the compensation that you deserve.
If you or your child is a victim of a dog bite injury and are looking to file a lawsuit for dog bite injuries that were sustained, book a free consultation with a Sokoloff lawyer today.
Sources:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0415/p1567.html
http://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90d16#BK17