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Children Are at Greater Risks for Dog Bites in New Mexico

Most small children love dogs and want to pull their tails and chase them. If this sounds like your child, it would be wise to teach them how to act around dogs in order to avoid being bitten. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites each year; half of these are children. 

Most dog bites occur in the home of the dog. If this information is alarming to you, it would be beneficial to learn what to do before bringing a dog into your home to decrease your child's chances of being bitten. Tips include:
• Research dog breeds and their personalities to find a fit for your home.
• Consult with a breeder or veterinarian regarding the behavior of various breeds.
• Spend time with the dog to observe its personality prior to bringing it into your home.
• If a specific dog breed is known to be aggressive, it is not a good fit for a home with children.
• Monitor the dog around infants, toddlers, and small children. Do not leave children alone with a dog.
• Train the dog to be submissive .
• Spay or neuter dogs to make them less aggressive.

Sadly, dog bites in New Mexico and across the nation are the second biggest reason why kids visit the emergency room, and studies show that children are most likely to suffer a dog bite between the ages of five and nine. Research shows that the incidence of dog bites increases with the number of dogs in the home.

According to the CDC, adults and children with multiple dogs in the home are five times more likely to suffer a dog bite than those without dogs in the home. Some dog bites require medical attention and could leave permanent nerve damage and scarring. If you or your child have suffered a dog bite in Albuquerque, contact the law firm of Keller & Keller and speak with an experienced New Mexico injury lawyer at (505) 938-2300.