Dog Bite Prevention Infographic & Facts

by Scott Goodwin / Monday, 23 September 2013 / Published in Dog Bites

Without a doubt, dogs are one of the most popular pets in the United States. If you don’t own a dog yourself, it’s very likely that you know someone who does or live in a neighborhood where you commonly see people out and about walking their dogs. But, unfortunately, so many dogs means that dog bites are a far too common occurrence. While many of those bites are minor nips, hundreds of thousands of dog bites every year are severe enough to require medical attention. In many of those cases, reconstructive surgery is needed to repair the damage caused by a dog attack.

No pet owner ever wants to believe that their pet could ever seriously hurt someone, but it’s extremely important for all pet owners to understand that all dogs have the potential to bite someone, to attack a person, or to jump on someone and knock them over. It doesn’t matter what breed a dog is or whether it’s a big dog or a small dog. Even dogs who are normally extremely well-behaved and friendly might lash out at a person under certain circumstances.

Legal Liability for Dog Bites in Michigan

In the state of Michigan, there is a strict liability law that applies to dog bites. What this means is that if a dog bites someone, the dog’s owner is legally liable for any injuries caused, as long as the injured person did not provoke the dog and the person was lawfully on the property when the dog bite occurred. While some states have a “one bite” law, meaning the dog’s owner is only liable for a bite if the dog has a history of biting, this is not the case in Michigan.

Preventing Dog Bites

Dogs can bite for a wide variety of reasons and since dog owners know their pets better than anyone, they have the most power to prevent dog bites from ever happening. They should know which types of situations are stressful to their dog and should take steps to remove them from those situations when necessary.

While dog owners have the most power to prevent dog attacks, many dogs will show body language if they’re feeling aggressive and are likely to bite. If you find yourself approaching a dog, whether it’s a stray or a dog with its owner, it’s a good idea to take a look at the dog’s overall body language to get an idea if the dog is feeling friendly or not. And if a dog is unfriendly, would you know how to prevent an attack or how to react if you are attacked? Take a look at our infographic to learn more.