Orange County Injury Attorney Blog

Once again, presumed dangerous dog breeds with a history of biting people and homeowners insurance are a topic of national discussion. Many dog owners disagree - or rather adamantly argue - that it isn't fair to judge a dog by its breed, but assert that every dog should be considered on a case by case basis. PHOTO COURTESY OF MSN MONEY.

Insurance companies however, are trying to contain their growing costs of insurance coverage to dog owners for certain breeds. According to the Insurance Information Institute in a report by MSN Money, dog bites account for "one-third of all homeowners insurance claims, with an average payout of nearly $30,000 per claim." Some insurers are refusing to extend or renew coverage to people who own a dog that has bitten someone.

MSN Money states that "some insurers take those efforts further by maintaining "breed lists" -- types of dogs that can provoke denial of coverage, a higher premium or an exclusion that could leave you on the hook for damages." Dog breeds on the "List" from Insurance Underwriters that have been singled out for biting and causing personal injury include: Bull Terriers and , Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Mastiffs, and the typically labeled dangerous dog types of Rottweilers, Akitas and Husky's.

On the opposing side, dog advocates and spokespersons from the American Kennel Club feel that have a positive value to insurance companies in that they are a natural alarm system against intruders and prevent theft by being on the premises and by the noise they cause from barking. Not all dogs labeled dangerous bite and hurt people.

What you can do as an Orange County Every insurer has different criteria, so getting quotes from a number of different companies can help dog owners find coverage.

Continue reading "Dog bites account for one-third of all homeowners insurance claims" »

Do you own a Rottweiler, pit bull or wolf breed dog? If so, your homeowner's insurance coverage in California is about to change. Recently in the news it was announced that a major insurance company, Farmer's Insurance, is dropping coverage for dog bites for certain breeds. Home Owner's Policy holders in California are being notified that dog bites by Rottweilers, pit bulls or wolf breeds will no longer be covered under their homeowners insurance. Farmers Group, Inc. claims the three breeds account for more than 25% of dog bite claims.

According to ABC4News, "Across the US insurance companies paid out $480 million to people who were attacked by dogs in 2011; a 50% rise in eight years." Farmer's Insurance decision to not insure Rottweilers, pit bulls or wolf breeds, draws criticism from rescue groups and trainers for discriminating against the dogs. Dog experts say that the problems with dogs usually occurs with a dog that's been isolated and that the dogs aren't the problem, the owners are.

Some insurance companies have a one bite rule where if a dog bites once it is covered, but if it happens again it is not covered. Homeowners are usually asked if they own a dog and if it one of the dogs listed under dangerous breeds, and if it has ever bitten anyone.

With dangerous breed dogs or any dogs, dog owners need to be responsible pet owners and treat the dog like a member of the family and not leave the dog isolated. A lot of the problems with dogs - dog bites, dog attacks, injuring people - is usually not with a family dogs. The Director of Communication for the Humane Society states that, "If animals are spayed and neutered, properly trained and not left tethered for too long, they won't be bad dogs."

Continue reading "Home Owner's Insurance For Dog Bites in California Dropped by Farmer's Insurance" »

We have a lot of pet owners in Orange County. Dog owners love their dogs; cat lovers love their cats. We take care of our pets, groom them feed them, play with them, and take them to the vet and try to be responsible pet owners. Some people however, do not follow the laws of pet ownership or may not know all the laws - and put their pets and people at risk for a dog bite incident.

According to Orange County codes, as a pet owner, "you must be familiar with these laws as they are intended for the safety and wellbeing of your pets, your family, and all members of the public that you come in contact with." As an Orange County Personal Injury attorney, I see a lot of cases involving dog bites. Following the laws of Health Sanitation and Animal Regulations will also help avoid people being injured by dog bites and dog bite lawsuits. Pet owners need to be aware of the following laws:

• You must keep you dog leashed anytime your dog is off your property
• Dogs are not allowed on school property, certain county parks or beaches
• Be aware of Nuisance Animals Procedures and barking dog policies
• Don't allow your pet to trespass on other people's property - others have the right to trap your cat
• Rabies vaccinations are required to ensure the health and well-being of your pet..
• Quarantine of animals - any pet dog or cat involved in a bite or scratch to a human must be quarantined for a period of 10 days.
• An Orange County dog license must be obtained for dogs four (4) months of age. Cats owners must also show proof of rabies vaccination and be issued a license certificate and tag.

Not obeying the Orange County Animal Regulations can have serious consequences. A dog off leash can cause a dog bite injury. A dog roaming around a children's school can pose a threat. Dog's trespasses on other people's property can lead to a dog fight or dog attack. Also, dogs not properly vaccinated can spread diseases to other dogs in the neighborhood.

Continue reading "Pet Regulations - Be Aware of Orange County Laws" »

We all know the preventative measures only work if they are utilized and that rules are only effective if they are enforced. This is the complaint of citizens in Suisun City in Northern California. A sign at one of the city's most heavily frequented parks states that no pets are allowed on the premises. An unfortunate scenario recently occurred which revealed that the workers at the park do not actually enforce this rule.

A young, nine-year-old boy's face was bitten by a large bulldog that was in the park that day. The boy's mother was shocked and horrified to see that the rules of the park, which were obviously put in place to prevent such dog bite accidents from occurring, were not being enforced. Her son's dog bite injury was the result of this negligence.

The city's recreation director admitted after the boy had sustained the serious dog bite injury that they have not enforced the signs content in that park for years. The city has, unintentionally, created confusion on this issue. A city ordinance states dogs actually can be at the parks as long as they remain on a leash at all times. Thus, dogs like the one that bit this young boy have been allowed into the park, despite the sign. This confusion seems to have also created unintended non-compliance by dog owners, as well as potential danger for the park's visitors. The city's leaders have admitted that the issue needs to be revisited. More clarity on this issue would certainly create a greater level of safety.

Dog bite injuries are a serious issue for residents of pet-friendly areas, like Orange County. While you and your family do have control over the type of dog you bring into your own home, you do not have the same control over what types of dogs other people own and how they monitor and/or interact with their dog in public. You do not have the ability to make dog owners act responsibly or train their dogs in a way that will lessen the likelihood that these dog bite accidents will occur. This is where the possibility of dangerous dog bites accidents lies. As the owner of a dog, California dog owners are liable for any injuries caused by their pet biting someone. California Civil Code section 3342 states that the owner of a dog is liable for damages suffered by anyone bitten in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the home of the dog owner.

Continue reading "Unenforced Dog Prohibition Sign Creates Confusion and Danger for Park-Goers " »

In a recent medical center news release, Dr. Anne Brayer, a pediatrician in emergency medicine at University of Rochester Medical Center, in New York, and director of Injury Free Coalition for Kids, based at URMC, gave some important advice to parents and kids with regard to avoiding dog bite injuries. Dr. Brayer stressed that remaining calm and not aggravating a dog are key elements in preventing dog bites because dogs are much more likely to bite when they feel anxious or threatened. Moreover, staying relaxed when dealing with an aggressive dog can help minimize the threat, Brayer said.

She went on to offer the following tips to parents for reducing the risks to their child of sustaining a dog bite injury:

• Never leave infants or young children alone with a dog, and keep children away from dogs that are eating, sleeping or caring for puppies.
• Be careful when visiting older relatives with dogs. These dogs often aren't used to young children and can be jealous of the attention they receive.
• Remember that all breeds of dogs can bite, and a dog's upbringing plays a much larger role in its tendency to bite than its breed.
• Do not approach an unfamiliar dog, which may perceive you as a threat and may think you are challenging it.
• Avoid neighborhood dogs with a history of aggression and dogs that have little contact with children.
• Adults should always keep an eye on children when dogs are nearby and teach them how to act around dogs. Teaching them to keep their face away from dogs reduces the likelihood that the child will make eye contact with the dog and seem threatening.
• If a child is approached by an unfamiliar dog, he or she should act like a tree or act like a log. This means remaining motionless, not shouting, and avoiding eye contact.
• If knocked to the ground, children should curl up into a ball and protect their face and neck with their hands and arms. This can help minimize injuries.
• Children should be taught not to tease a dog. That means not pulling its tail, petting it roughly or taking away its toys. Even doing these things in play can overexcite a dog and lead to an unintentional bite.

Continue reading "A Pediatrician's Advice to Parents: This is How Your Children Can Avoid Dog Bite Injuries" »

Due to the typical increase in dog bite injuries that occurs in the summer, when families and pets are spending more time outdoors, the Emergency Department at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBIMC) in New Jersey has provided suggestions for greater dog safety.

The Following are the tips NBIMC has provided to help parents protect their children from a painful encounter with a dog:

• Pick a good match when choosing a family dog. Certain breeds, such as Golden Retrievers, are recommended as generally safe with children. Other breeds might not be the best choice for young children. One 5-year (2001-2005) review of dog attack victims admitted to a children's hospital in Pennsylvania determined that pit bull terriers were implicated in more than half of the bites.
• Socialize your pet. Gradually expose your puppy to a variety of people and other animals so it feels at ease in these situations.
• Train your dog. Avoid aggressive games like wrestling or tug-of-war.
• Vaccinate your dog against rabies and other diseases.
• Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.
• Teach your child to check if the dog is with an owner and looks friendly. Then ask the owner for permission to pet the dog. Let the dog sniff your child and have your child touch the dog gently, avoiding the face, head and tail.
• Tell your child not to bother a dog if it is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.
• Tell your child not to run past a dog.
• If you are threatened by a dog, remain calm. Avoid eye contact. Stand still until the dog leaves or back away slowly. If you are knocked down, curl into a ball and protect your face with your hands.
• If a dog bites your child, clean small wounds with soap and water and seek medical attention for larger wounds. For serious wounds, contact authorities and tell them everything you can about the dog: the owner's name, the color and size of the dog, and where you encountered the dog.

Continue reading "Tips for Avoiding A Painful Encounter With a Dog From the Emergency Department at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center " »

According to Health Day News, "more than half of the 4.7 million people bitten by dogs in the United States annually are children under the age of 14". Moreover, they cite a Center for Disease Control and Prevention statistic that shows that among children, the rate of dog-bite related injuries is highest among those aged 5 to 9.

In an effort to better equip parents with the knowledge and tools necessary to protect their children from the dangers and hazards associated with dog bite injuries, the American Academy of Pediatrics has put together the following safety tips for both dog owners and parents:

• Choose a breed with a child-friendly reputation. You can never be 100 percent sure of how a dog is going to behave, but experts recommend breeds such as collies and labradors. Ask a veterinarian about the typical behavior of certain breeds before bringing the dog home.
• Socialize your dog by continuously exposing the animal to different people and other pets so it is comfortable in a variety of situations.
• Train your dog to follow commands. Avoid aggressive games, such as wrestling or tug-of-war, which could reinforce bad behaviors.
• Vaccinate your dog against rabies and other diseases, and neuter your dog, which can decrease aggression.
• Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.
• Teach children to exercise caution around dogs. Avoid running past dogs and pestering dogs while it's sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.
• Don't let your kids approach dogs without asking the owner's permission first. Children should allow dogs to sniff them first and avoid touching their face, head and tail.
• If threatened by a dog, children should be told to remain calm, avoid eye contact and stand still until the dog leaves or back away slowly. If that doesn't work and they are knocked down, children should curl into a ball and protect their face with their hands.

Continue reading "American Academy of Pediatrics Offers Tips for Reducing Children's Dog Bite Injuries" »

In a recent Register Guard article, Jeff Krier, an agent with State Farm Insurance, pointed out some disturbing facts about the prevalence of dog bite injuries. "With summer in full swing", he said, "people and dogs are spending more time outside, in situations that naturally bring them closer together in greater numbers, whether on sidewalks and paths or in parks, picnic areas or even one another's backyards".

In 2011, the insurance industry reported that insurers had paid more than $475 million in dog-bite claims in that year alone.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that with 65 million dogs in the United States , there are 4.7 million dog-bite incidents every year. The CDC estimates, further, that half of all children ages 12 and younger have been bitten by a dog. "Dog bites actually rank second only to baseball and softball injuries as the reason for visits to the emergency room", the agency reports.

The most frequent victims of dog bite injuries, unfortunately, are children, ages five to nine. Families that have two or more dogs in their home are five times more likely to suffer dog bite injuries than those living without dogs at home. In order to lessen the frequency of these incidents, the CDC has the recommended the following safety precautions for dog owners:

• Before deciding to bring a new dog into your house, it is best to consult a professional as to which breed would best fit your home


• If you have kids you should certainly, avoid dogs with histories of aggression


• It's a good idea to spend time with the dog before buying or adopting


• Be sure to spay/neuter your pet


• Don't play aggressive games with your dog, like wrestling


• Properly socialize and train your dog, and emphasize submissive behaviors

Continue reading "More Time Spent Outside In the Summer Means Increased Risk of Dog Bite Injuries, State Farm Agent Says" »

As frequent readers of this blog know, we have discussed the issue of dog bite injuries several times in the past. We recently we forced to file a dog mauling case related to a young girl mauled by a dog at a beach in Orange County. As a result, Ric Romero interviewed Jason Cohn and Saar Swartzon regarding the case and about the dangers of dog bites from a human perspective and a financial one.

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, dogs bite approximately 4.5 million people each year. The most frequent victims, unfortunately, are children, ages five to nine. Families that have two or more dogs in their home are five times more likely to suffer from dog bite injuries than those living without dogs at home.

The statistics regarding dog bite injuries are staggering:

• Dogs reside in 1 of 3 homes in the US. According to the Centers for Disease control and Prevention, about 4.5 million people are bitten each year.
• Over 880,000 people bitten by dogs require medical attention for dog bite related injuries (1 in 5 bitten). Thousands of people undergo reconstructive surgery each year as a result of dog bites.
• Children between the ages of 5-9 are most at risk. People with dogs in their home are 5 times more likely to be bitten than those living without dogs.

Continue reading "Dog Maulings: Cohn & Swartzon on KABC Channel 7 with Ric Romero - Tonight July 2, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. " »

Late last week, a Newport Beach woman and her son were brutally attacked by a pack of dogs. The woman was staying, as a guest, at the Marriot Newport Coast Villas hotel. She was walking from the hotel to her car early in the morning when three strange dogs attacked her from behind. Witnessing the attack, the woman's son ran towards his mother to help her, at which point the three dogs also bit him. After this brutal attack had occurred, the dogs left the mother and son and were seen running on the hotel's golf course. Newport Beach police officers arrived on the scene shortly thereafter.

Shockingly, neither police nor Animal Control was able to safely restrain and/or corral the dogs, which were later identified as pit bulls. So, police officers were forced to shoot and kill the dogs. The badly injured woman and her son were both taken to a local hospital for treatment of their serious personal injuries. Police are still working to identify and locate the dogs' owner. Our firm has been interviewed on television and the radio many times regarding dog bites and the related injuries and damages they cause to the victims.

Unfortunately, this story is not an unusual one. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, dogs bite approximately 4.5 million people each year. The most frequent victims, unfortunately, are children, ages five to nine. Families that have two or more dogs in their home are five times more likely to suffer dog bite injuries than those living without dogs at home. In order to lessen the frequency of these incidents, the CDC has the recommended the following safety precautions for dog owners:

• Before deciding to bring a new dog into your house, it is best to consult a professional as to which breed would best fit your home
• If you have kids you should certainly, avoid dogs with histories of aggression
• It's a good idea to spend time with the dog before buying or adopting
• Be sure to spay/neuter your pet
• Don't play aggressive games with your dog, like wrestling
• Properly socialize and train your dog, and emphasize submissive behaviors

Continue reading "Pack of Dogs Brutally Attacks Mother and Her Son in Newport Beach" »

About a week ago, right in the middle of Dog Bit Prevention Week, a young girl sustained serious personal injuries when two dogs attacked her while she was walking to her elementary school in Lakeside. A chocolate Labrador retriever and a German Shepherd bit the third-grade girl near Lakeview Elementary School. They continued to attack her until a good Samaritan finally intervened. The young girl was then transported to a local hospital to receive treatment for her serious personal injuries. Animal control later impounded the dogs, and police officers began trying to successfully locate and contact their owner.

Unfortunately, this story is not an unusual one. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, dogs bite approximately 4.5 million people each year. The most frequent victims, unfortunately, are children, ages five to nine. Families that have two or more dogs in their home are five times more likely to sustain dog bite injuries than those living without dogs at home. In order to lessen the frequency of these incidents, the CDC has the recommended the following safety precautions for dog owners:

• Before deciding to bring a new dog into your house, it is best to consult a professional as to which breed would best fit your home
• If you have kids you should certainly, avoid dogs with histories of aggression
• It's a good idea to spend time with the dog before buying or adopting
• Be sure to spay/neuter your pet
• Don't play aggressive games with your dog, like wrestling
• Properly socialize and train your dog, and emphasize submissive behaviors

While you and your family do have control over the type of dog you bring into your own home, you do not have the same control over what types of dogs other people own and how they monitor and/or interact with their dog in public. You do not have the ability to make dog owners act responsibly or train their dogs in a way that will lessen the likelihood that these dog bite accidents will occur. Thus, this is where the possibility of dangerous dog bites lies. As the owner of a dog, California dog owners are liable for any injuries caused by their pet biting someone. California Civil Code section 3342 states that the owner of a dog is liable for damages suffered by anyone bitten in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the home of the dog owner.

Continue reading "Third-Grade Girl Sustains Serious Personal Injuries After Being Attacked By Two Strange Dogs" »

Last week, a Riverside woman, Leesa Lyon, and her teenage daughter were brutally attacked by two loose pit bulls as they were walking to their apartment from a high school awards ceremony. They pulled up to their apartment building and got out of their car. As they walked toward the building, three pit bulls charged at them. Leesa sustained serious dog bite injuries as she actively stood between her daughter and the attacking dogs. Some of their neighbors called 911. The dogs were later quarantined and police found that they were unlicensed and had not been spayed or vaccinated. The owner of the dogs was identified soon thereafter as Trevor Casserly, another resident at the apartment complex.

Unfortunately, this story is not an unusual one. Our firm handles many dog mauling cases. Often, it is the same breed of dog that causes issues. According to the CDC, In 2011, Pit bulls and Rottweiler's made up the great percentage of all fatal dog mauling cases. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, dogs bite approximately 4.5 million people each year. The most frequent victims, unfortunately, are children, ages five to nine. Families that have two or more dogs in their home are five times more likely to be bitten than those living without dogs at home. In order to lessen the frequency of these incidents, the CDC has the recommended the following safety precautions for dog owners:

• Before deciding to bring a new dog into your house, it is best to consult a professional as to which breed would best fit your home
• If you have kids you should certainly, avoid dogs with histories of aggression
• It's a good idea to spend time with the dog before buying or adopting
• Be sure to spay/neuter your pet
• Don't play aggressive games with your dog, like wrestling
• Properly socialize and train your dog, and emphasize submissive behaviors

While you and your family do have control over the type of dog you bring into your own home, you do not have the same control over what types of dogs other people own and how they monitor and/or interact with their dog in public. This is where the possibility of dangerous dog bites lies. As the owner of a dog, California dog owners are liable for any injuries caused by their pet biting someone. California Civil Code section 3342 states that the owner of a dog is liable for damages suffered by anyone bitten in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the home of the dog owner.

Continue reading "Riverside Mother Sustains Serious Dog Bite Injuries After Being Attacked by Three Pit Bulls" »

Recently, a 59-year-old postal worker, Diane Jensen, was the victim of a dog bite injury that proved to be deadly. While out on her typical route in a nice residential neighborhood, a pit bull came running towards Jensen from one of the open garages on the street. The dog, who had been in the garage surrounded by several children, was not wearing a leash. Upon seeing the mail-woman, the god ran straight up to her and bit her on both of her legs multiple times. Medical staff arrived on the scene quickly to treat Jensen's injuries. Unfortunately, upon their arrival and examination of Jensen, they found that she was having trouble speaking. She eventually became unresponsive. Jensen was rushed to the hospital. Her doctors recognized that she was suffering from a serious brain hemorrhage. Unfortunately, she passed away Sunday evening. The results of her autopsy revealed that her cause of death was hemorrhagic stroke, which was greatly contributed to by the serious dog bites she sustained.

Unfortunately, this story is not an unusual one. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, dogs bite approximately 4.5 million people each year. The most frequent victims, unfortunately, are children, ages five to nine. Families that have two or more dogs in their home are five times more likely to be bitten than those living without dogs at home. In order to lessen the frequency of these incidents, the CDC has the recommended the following safety precautions for dog owners:

• Before deciding to bring a new dog into your house, it is best to consult a professional as to which breed would best fit your home


• If you have kids you should certainly, avoid dogs with histories of aggression


• It's a good idea to spend time with the dog before buying or adopting


• Be sure to spay/neuter your pet


• Don't play aggressive games with your dog, like wrestling


• Properly socialize and train your dog, and emphasize submissive behaviors

While you and your family do have control over the type of dog you bring into your own home, you do not have the same control over what types of dogs other people own and how they monitor and/or interact with their dog in public. This is where the possibility of dangerous dog bites lies. As the owner of a dog, California dog owners are liable for any injuries caused by their pet biting someone. California Civil Code section 3342 states that the owner of a dog is liable for damages suffered by anyone bitten in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the home of the dog owner.

Continue reading "Dog-Owners and Neighbors Take Head: Dog Bites Really Can Be Fatal" »

As many of you may have heard, a news anchor in Denver was recently bitten on the face by an Argentine mastiff. The news person was interviewing two safety officers who saved the dog from an icy reservoir just the day before while she was petting the dog's head. Then the news anchor put her face near the dog's head. The dog lunged towards her and bit the woman on the mouth. The anchor was taken to the hospital where she received plastic surgery on her mouth. Her face needed 70 stitches. Moreover, she will require more surgery in the future. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, dogs bite approximately 4.5 million people each year. The most frequent victims, unfortunately, are children, ages five to nine. Families that have two or more dogs in their home are five times more likely to be bitten than those living without dogs at home.

In order to lessen the frequency of dog attacks, the CDC has the recommended the following safety precautions for dog owners:

• Before deciding to bring a new dog into your house, it is best to consult a professional as to which breed would best fit your home


• If you have kids you should certainly, avoid dogs with histories of aggression


• It's a good idea to spend time with the dog before buying or adopting


• Be sure to spay/neuter your pet


• Don't play aggressive games with your dog, like wrestling


• Properly socialize and train your dog, and emphasize submissive behaviors

For children, the CDC recommends:

• Do not approach unfamiliar dogs


• Do not run from a dog or scream


• Stay 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 supervised by an adult.


• Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.


• Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.


• Do not pet a dog without allowing it to seen and sniff you first.

Continue reading "Injured News Anchor Serves as Cautionary Tale: Parents and Dog-Owners Take Heed" »

This past weekend, a 12-year-old girl from Riverside County was hospitalized for severe injuries sustained after having been attacked and bitten by a strange dog. The pit bull that attacked the young girl was quarantined in the meantime. But, we still do not know the extent of the girl's injuries. No doubt she will have not just physical, but emotional injuries for the rest of her life.

Unfortunately, cases like this are not that unusual. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), dog bites have become an increasingly large problem in the U.S.

• About 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year.


• Almost one in five of those who are bitten :a total of 885,000: require medical attention for dog bite-related injuries.


• In 2006, more than 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by dogs.

The people who are at the greatest risk of being bitten include children ages 5 to 9, adult males, and people with dogs in their homes. People with dogs in their homes are five times more likely to be bitten than those without dogs in their homes.

In order to prevent in-home dog bites the CDC suggests that you take the following precautions before bringing a dog into your home:

• Consult with a professional (e.g., veterinarian, animal behaviorist, or responsible breeder) to learn what breeds of dogs are the best fit for your household.


• Dogs with histories of aggression are not suitable for households with children.


• Be sensitive to cues that a child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog. If a child seems frightened by dogs, wait before bringing a dog into your household.


• Spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it. Use caution when bringing a dog into a household with an infant or toddler.


• If you decide to bring a dog into your home:


• Spay/neuter your dog (this often reduces aggressive tendencies).


• Never leave infants or young children alone with a dog.


• Don't play aggressive games with your dog (e.g., wrestling).


• Properly socialize and train any dog entering your household. Teach the dog submissive behaviors (e.g., rolling over to expose the abdomen and giving up food without growling).


• Immediately seek professional advice (e.g., from veterinarians, animal behaviorists, or responsible breeders) if the dog develops aggressive or undesirable behaviors.

Continue reading "Young Girl Sustains Serious Injuries in Dog Attack" »