Dog bite incidents have made the news lately, and it is no surprise. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year, and almost one in five of those who are bitten require medical attention as a result. Unfortunately, children are at a high risk for dog bites and are more likely to require medical treatment after a bite occurs. Also at higher risk of being bitten are male adults and people who have dogs in their homes.
Under Oklahoma law (Title 4, §42.1), dog owners are liable for the full amount of damages sustained when their dogs, without provocation, bite a person in a place where the person has a right to be.
A dog’s behavior cannot always be predicted or controlled. The CDC recommends the following dog bite safety tips to help keep children safe:
- Never approach an dog you do not know
- Do not run from a dog or scream
- Remain still when approached by an unfamiliar dog
- If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still
- Do not play with a dog unless an adult is supervising
- Tell an adult about stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior
- Avoid looking a dog in the eye
- Never disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies
- Never pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first
- If you are bitten, immediately tell an adult
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries as a result of a dog bite, consult Oklahoma personal injury attorneys to explore your legal options.