Why Do Dogs Attack?
By Michael Morse | August 2, 2010
Our Michigan dog bite lawyers get calls every day from innocent people who were viciously attacked by a dog. According to animal behavior experts, the main reasons that dogs bite are:
1. Excitement
When somebody plays with their dog, the dog becomes excited, and since they don’t have hands they use their mouth to grasp things. When this happens, it’s possible that the dog might unintentionally hurt you.
2. Protection
Dogs are very protective of their owner, other family members, and their territory. The natural way for a dog to protect is to bite whoever or whatever appears to be a threat When a stranger gets too close to a dog’s territory, the dog will attack to protect their owners and family members.
3. Pain
If a dog is in pain they don’t understand why. When someone touches them, they may associate that person with the cause of the pain and they may fight back by biting.
4. Fear
Dogs sometimes are afraid just like people. If someone unexpectedly touches or surprises them, the dog’s natural reaction is to turn and bite.
Be especially careful around dogs you don’t know. Many Michigan dog bite victims are caught by surprise when a strange dog reacts differently than their own dog would to many situations.
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Did you know…Some Dog Bite Basics
By Michael Morse | June 3, 2010
Every year more than 4.7 million Americans suffer injury from a dog bite or dog attack, and approximately 800,000 require medical attention. A serious dog bite attack can leave a person with devastating, life-changing injuries. A person who has suffered severe dog bite injuries may need plastic surgery to restore appearance and reduce scarring.
Dog bite injuries are the third leading cause of emergency admission of children to hospitals.
The elderly have a higher rate of dog attacks, as do service workers such as mail carriers, other delivery persons, meter readers, home health aides, and others who make house calls, and are therefore more exposed to dogs.
Here are some common questions and answers about dog attacks:
Are some dog breeds’ bites more dangerous? More than half of all serious dog attacks in the United States involve pit bulls or Rottweilers.
How can I reduce my risk of a dog attack? Do not approach dogs you don’t know well, or those unaccompanied by an owner. Do not provoke or tease any dog, whether you know it well or not.
Are there psychological effects from dog attacks? The emotional trauma resulting from being attacked by a dog can be devastating. The anxiety and fear that may continue long after the attack is a central component in many dog bite cases.
Who is responsible when a dog attacks and injures a person? Under Michigan law, dog owners are liable when their dog bites someone without being provoked, period. This law does not apply to a person who is bitten while trespassing.
Do homeowners and renters insurance cover dog attacks? Homeowners and renters insurance policies typically cover dog bite liability.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury from a dog attack, contact us today for a free consultation. We will help seek compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering caused by the attack.
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National Dog Bite Prevention Week May 16–22
By Michael Morse | May 21, 2010
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 400,000.00 children seek medical attention for dog bites each year. Soon children will be out of school for summer vacation and many people will be out with their dogs. Dogs are wonderful pets but it’s important to know how to protect yourself in case the unexpected happens. The AKC offers these tips for kids on dog safety:
- Dogs are territorial by nature and like their own space. If a dog is barking while you are in his yard or car or home, do not try and pet him.
- Always ask the owner’s permission to pet the dog before you do so. Approach the dog slowly, letting the dog sniff your hand first, then pet him under the chin.
- If an unfriendly dog runs toward you, stand still with your arms crossed in front of you. Dogs take eye contact as a challenge so do not make eye contact.
- If you happen upon a lost dog, be still and back away slowly.
- If you encounter a pack of dogs, throw a small object away from you to distract them, then slowly walk away.
- Never judge a dog by the type of breed only. Judge a dog by his actions.
Visit the AKC website for more information on dog safety at www.akc.org/publilc_education
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Michigan Dog-Owners Should Protect Themselves from Liability
By Michael Morse | October 6, 2008
Due to the alarming frequency of dog attacks, Michigan dog owners are encouraged to protect themselves from liability. Homeowners and renters insurance policies usually cover liability and liability coverage typically ranges from $100,000 – $300,000. If the victim’s claim exceeds that amount, then the dog’s owner will be responsible for the additional damages.
Most insurance companies will insure homeowners who keep a dog as a house pet in Michigan. However, once a dog has attacked someone it is determined to be an increased risk and the insurance company may increase the premiums, exclude the dog from coverage, and require the dog owner to sign a waiver of liability for dog bites, or make coverage contingent upon the dog successfully completing obedience courses.
Furthermore, it is advisable for Michigan dog owners to consider acquiring an umbrella liability policy. Umbrella policies protect the insured against personal liability, such as from dog bites. The amount of umbrella coverage generally ranges from $1 to $10 million. These policies are inexpensive and the first $1 million in coverage costs approximately $150 – $300 per year.
Though it is recommended that dog owners carry liability insurance, Michigan dog owners should take proper precautions to prevent dog attacks from occurring in the first place. Some precautions that dog owners should take are as follows:
- Consult with a professional to learn which breeds are appropriate for domestic ownership.
- Spend time with the dog before buying or adopting it.
- Have the dog spayed or neutered. Unneutered dogs account for three times as many bites as neutered dogs.
- Socialize the dog so that it knows how to act with people and other animals.
- Prevent children from disturbing the dog while it eats and sleeps.
- Play non-aggressive games with the dog, rather than aggressive games such as “tug-of-war.”
- Avoid exposing the dog to new situations where its behavior will be unknown.
- Avoid eye contact with a dog that appears threatening.
For more information on dog bites and what to do if you are bitten by a dog in Michigan or Ohio, visit www.dogbite-attorneys.com.
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Omaha Approves Dangerous Dog Ordinance
By Michael Morse | October 4, 2008
Omaha, Nebraska passed a law requiring owners to put a muzzle on their pit-bulls and other dogs deemed by the City to be dangerous. The law defines dangerous by the breed of the dog and includes any dog that would bite when unprovoked or would chase people down the streets. However, dogs that pass a canine good citizen test will not be compelled to wear a muzzle, but will be required to wear a vest at all times. Moreover, the ordinance restricts the time that a dog can be tied up outdoors, limiting this to 15 minutes under the supervision of someone at least 19 years of age. Failure to comply with the Omaha ordinance can result in the owner’s forfeiture of the dog.
For more information on dog bites and what to do if you are bitten by a dog in Michigan or Ohio, visit www.dogbite-attorneys.com.
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Owning a Dog Can Take a Bite Out of Your Wallet
By Michael Morse | October 3, 2008
Dog owners need to assess their financial liability should their dog attack someone. Single bites could cost tens of thousands of dollars, lawsuits even more, and if the attack is serious, dog owners could even serve jail time to account for their dog’s actions. Moreover, due to the rising costs of dog-bite claims, some insurers now refuse to cover certain breeds, those most often denied are pit-bulls, Dobermans, Rottweiler’s, Akitas, Chows, and wolf hybrids. However, some insurers will cover all breeds, but will increase the premium should the dog bite someone.
Here are a few things to consider before purchasing a dog:
- According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bite claims comprise 1/3 of all homeowner insurance liability claims and in 2007 cost insurers $356 million.
- According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average dog-bite claim in 2007 was $24,511.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year and nearly 1 million require medical attention.
- n 2007, 32 people died as a result of being attacked by dogs.
For more information on dog bites and what to do if you are bitten by a dog in Michigan or Ohio, visit www.dogbite-attorneys.com.
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130 Pound Pit-Bull Mauls 6 Year-Old Boy
By Michael Morse | October 2, 2008
A six year-old boy is in serious condition after being mauled by a massive pit-bull last week in Moses Lake, Washington. Authorities say the six year-old was playing in his grandmothers back yard when the 130 pound pit-bull pushed through the fence, chased the boy down and leaped on him, biting his ears, face and scalp. The attack was so severe that the child required being airlifted to a local hospital. Police say that the dog will be put down and that the owner will face charges.
For more information on dog bites and what to do if you are bitten by a dog in Michigan or Ohio, visit www.dogbite-attorneys.com.
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California Dog-Bite Victim Receives One-Million Dollar Settlement
By Michael Morse | October 1, 2008
A California woman recently settled a lawsuit for severe scarring and injuries to her face after being attacked by an American bulldog. On April 6, 2006, the woman was walking her own dog to a bus stop to pick up her children when she was attacked by the bulldog that bit her face and permanently scarred her nose. Following several surgeries to rebuild her face, the woman received $900,000 and her husband and two children received $33,000 each, an amount that equaled the upper limit of the dog owner’s insurance policy. Moreover, the dog was euthanized and its owner, who insisted that the dog had never bitten anyone before this incident, was sentenced to four months in jail and 100 hours of community service.
For more information on dog bites and what to do if you are bitten by a dog in Michigan or Ohio, visit www.dogbite-attorneys.com.
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Owning a Dog can be Risky Business
By Michael Morse | September 29, 2008
Under certain circumstances, dog owners can be liable for injuries caused by their pet. Generally, if the owner knew the dog had a tendency to cause injury; if a state statute makes the owner strictly liable; or if the injury was caused by extreme carelessness on behalf of the owner, the owner will be liable for injuries caused by the dog. A dog owner who is legally responsible for an injury may be responsible for reimbursing the injured person for medical bills, pain and suffering caused by the attack, and lost wages.
There are three types of laws that impose liability on dog owners:
- Dog-bite statutes: these place liability upon the dog owner for any injury caused by the dog, regardless of the underlying circumstances.
- One-bite rules: In some states, the owner will not be liable for the first bite of his dog. However, once the dog has bitten someone it is considered to have demonstrated vicious behavior and the owner is on notice of its violent propensities and will be liable for any subsequent attacks.
- Negligence laws: Under this standard, the dog owner is liable if the injury occurred because of the unreasonable carelessness of the dog owner in controlling his dog.
For more information on dog bites and what to do if you are bitten by a dog in Michigan or Ohio, visit www.dogbite-attorneys.com.
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Landlords can be Held Liable for their Tenants Vicious Dogs in some situations
By Michael Morse | September 25, 2008
There are some circumstances in which a court can hold a landlord responsible for harm caused by a tenant’s dog. Generally, landlord liability rests upon allowing the owner to keep the dog in the rental unit, whereas owner liability is based upon improperly controlling the dog.
Although state laws may differ, when it comes to holding a landlord liable for a tenant’s dog attack, it typically must be shown that the landlord knew before the incident that caused the harm that the tenant possessed a dangerous dog and the landlord failed to take proper precautions to prevent the dog from attacking someone. Many states hold that a landlord is put on notice that his tenant has a dangerous dog based solely on the dogs breed, as in where a tenant owns a Pit Bull, Great Dane, etc. Another basis for holding a landlord liable for an attack by a tenant’s dog is by showing that the dog exhibited prior violent tendencies. This may consist of the dog biting people in the tenant’s rental unit or snapping at other residents or visitors in the unit’s hallways or common areas.
For more information on dog bites and what to do if you are bitten by a dog in Michigan or Ohio, visit www.dogbite-attorneys.com.
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