Anybody can get attacked or bitten by an aggressive dog. Children and adults will suffer injuries in case of a dog bite. However, children are more vulnerable to dangerous dogs because they lack the experience adults have with dogs. Dog owners should take measures to restrain dangerous dogs because children are less aware of how to react when a dog lunges at them and can end up with serious injuries. Here are four reasons your child can be at a greater risk of getting hurt and why you will need a competent dog bite lawyer.
Children Get Easily Excited
Children are highly responsive to their environment and get excited easily. They also seem to love dogs, and their brain might fail to warn them about the possible dangers of being too friendly to harsh dogs. A child will yell, jump around and even run when they see a dog. If the dog is skittish, it can interpret a child's excitement as aggression and attack. The dog can then end up biting your child out of fear. If the dog is known to be aggressive but was not correctly restrained at the time of the incident, a lawyer can help you pursue compensation.
They Might Not Know the Petting Procedure
Most pet owners follow a process when petting their dogs. The process is especially specific for aggressive dog breeds such as Pitbulls and Rottweilers. If your child does not understand the petting procedure or touches an aggressive dog the wrong way, they can rile up the animal and end up with a bite. A lawyer will help determine if the situation was avoidable by using a leash on the dog.
They are Unable to Protect Themselves
The inability for self-protection is another reason dogs hurt children more than adults. An adult might fight back or threaten a charging dog. However, a child is small-bodied, and they might not be in a position to fight back when a heavy or huge dog attacks them. Consider filing a lawsuit if someone was responsible for watching the dog but didn't intervene as the child approached the dog.
Children Love to Roam
Children like roaming around the neighborhood while playing with friends. They are also more likely to trespass as they seek to learn about their surroundings. If they get injured by a loose dog inside another person's property, the case will need a lawyer.
There are many reasons your child might get injured by a dog bite. Speak to a competent lawyer if you believe your child's bite was because of the owner's recklessness in pursuing compensation.
For more information, contact a local dog bite lawyer.