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Dog attacks are becoming increasingly more common throughout the world, particularly in the USA, where there are around four and a half million dog bites per year. While that statistic may include smaller nips here and there, the fact remains that this is a pretty scary trend that shows no real sign of slowing down. However, what makes this number even more frightening is that almost half of all dog bites involve children of varying ages. While you as a parent might try everything in your power to avoid this form ever happening to your child, you may, unfortunately, find yourself in this situation. When you do, you will need to understand your rights and what steps you must take to mitigate injury to your child and gain financial recourse to help you over subsequent medical costs. Photo Credit: Jordan Whitt on Unsplash Stay Calm And Assess The Situation Although this situation can warrant a knee-jerk reaction due to the primal nature of the attack, you must try to stay calm to carefully assess the situation and come up with the next steps. According to this dog bite lawyer based out of South Carolina, a dog bite can lead to intense feelings of shock and surprise. These two immediate emotions are also the kinds of emotions that can cause you to abandon rational thinking and go into panic mode. However, you should avoid this because now is the time to think about your next steps rationally. What does this mean in practice? Well, your first step is to attempt to extract your child from the situation and move somewhere safer where you can make a more informed assessment. Then, you will need to calm and comfort your child, as this can be a terrifying situation. If the wound appears severe, you will need to contact emergency services and inform them of what happened. This may even involve police or animal control coming along with paramedics to take away the violent dog. Whatever the next steps are, the key is to remain as calm as possible to avoid making the scenario worse than it might otherwise be. Photo Credit: C Perret on Unsplash Clean The Bite Wound Thoroughly This crucial step is not merely a preliminary action; it is a foundational measure in preventing potential infections that can escalate the severity of the situation. When a dog bites, bacteria from the dog's mouth can be introduced into the wound. This bacterial transfer can include common culprits like Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pasteurella, which are known to cause infections if not addressed promptly. Cleaning the wound thoroughly under running water does more than just wash away visible debris; it significantly reduces the bacterial load, lowering the risk of infection. After rinsing, applying an antiseptic solution or cream further disinfects the area, creating an environment less conducive for germs to proliferate. Given the delicate nature of children's immune systems, which may not be as robust as those of adults, skipping or skimping on this critical step can lead to serious health complications. Infections can progress rapidly, requiring more intensive medical interventions such as antibiotics or, in severe cases, hospitalization. Seek Medical Attention If the wound is minor, you might be tempted to avoid calling out emergency services, but this could be a mistake. Regardless of how minor the wound might appear, it's always wise to err on the side of caution and contact those who know what they're doing to perform a checkover. You never truly understand how serious an injury might be until you've had it checked. For instance, even if the dog bite failed to puncture the skin, your child may still have unseen injuries that warrant medical attention. Moreover, as discussed in the next point, if the dog has signs of illness, you should always take the precautionary route to avoid issues later on. Photo Credit: Mitchell Orr on Unsplash Observe The Dog For Signs Of Illness Although your first instinct will inevitably be to check your child over for signs of injury, it is equally important to carefully observe the dog (if possible) in the aftermath for any signs of illness. Dogs are natural predators but also domesticated animals living near humans, especially children. A bite incident could potentially indicate an underlying medical reason affecting the dog's behavior. Some dog illnesses that may provoke unusual aggression include infections, neurological problems, and other ailments that could all cause significant long-term issues for your child. Moreover, because the dog may have run away by the time the paramedics arrive, you will need to ensure you have enough information to provide to them so they can make an informed decision on the next course of action. Collect As Much Evidence As Possible As upsetting as the situation is, it's crucial to handle it carefully and collect as much evidence as possible. Getting an accurate understanding of what happened is in everyone's best interest. Be sure to document details like the severity of the bite, how it occurred, whether the dog has bitten before, the animal's vaccination history, and the efforts of its owner to train or restrain it. Take photos of any marks or injuries. Record names and contact information for all witnesses. Get a statement from the dog's owner about the animal's behavior and their account of the incident. Collecting evidence in writing establishes an objective account that can be referred back to if needed down the road for medical or legal reasons. Seek Legal Advice Even if a dog bite seems minor, seeking legal counsel is always advisable after a child suffers such an injury. Canine bites can sometimes cause unexpected issues down the line, so it's essential to understand your family's rights and responsibilities upfront. An experienced personal injury attorney can also help determine if the dog owner may be held liable, depending on circumstances like whether the animal had a history of aggression. They can advise you on topics like whether to file a claim, negotiate with insurance providers, or take legal action if needed. Most will provide consultations free of charge, so even for relatively minor incidents, it's a smart step to discuss the case with legal experts. They can help ensure your child receives any needed medical care and help prevent unexpected costs down the road. When your child is harmed, it can be terrible for you as a parent; however, when a dog inflicts the damage, the feelings can be even more intense. As long as you stay calm and follow the advice in this article, you will be better prepared to handle the scenario.