Dog Bite Injuries in Maryland: How To Keep Your Children Safe This Summer

Warm weather means more time spent outdoors, enjoying local parks, neighborhoods, and other public places. Dogs are popular pets, which means they are often part of the picture. Unfortunately, while they can serve as fun-loving and loyal companions, they also pose risks, particularly to children.

Dog bites in Maryland are common, can cause devastating injuries, and children are among the most frequent victims. Our experienced Maryland dog bite attorneys explain what parents need to know about the risks and how to hold negligent dog owners accountable.

Maryland Dog Bite Injuries: The Impacts On Children

Children are often drawn to dogs and fail to recognize the danger. Unfortunately, this increases the risk of injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that dog bites happen to children between the ages of five and nine more frequently than any other age group. Unfortunately, due to their smaller size, their injuries tend to be more severe.

Common types of injuries children often suffer due to dog bites in Maryland include:

• Deep puncture wounds and lacerations to the face, neck, and hands.
• Broken bones from the force of a larger dog knocking a child down.
• Scratches and claw marks can cause nerve and tissue damage.
• Potentially life-threatening infections from bacteria transmitted through a bite.
• Emotional trauma and anxiety around animals often impact children long after a bite occurs.

Under the Maryland Statutes, dog owners must restrain their pets, prevent them from becoming a public menace, and warn others of potential dangers. When they fail to take appropriate precautions, they can be held liable for injuries that result.

Dog Bite Safety Tips Every Maryland Parent Should Know

Teaching young ones how to interact safely with dogs is one of the most effective ways to prevent dog bites and attacks in Maryland. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends that parents talk to their children about dog safety, especially during warmer months when encounters are more frequent.

Safety tips Maryland parents are encouraged to share with their children include:

• Always ask the owner’s permission before approaching or petting a dog, even if it appears friendly.
• Never approach a dog (or any animal) that is eating, sleeping, hurt, or caring for puppies.
• Avoid making direct eye contact, which dogs may interpret as a threat.
• Never reach through a fence or vehicle window to pet a dog.
• Remain calm and still if an aggressive dog approaches, as running or screaming makes them more likely to attack.

Even when children follow these rules, dog bites in Maryland can happen. To get the compensation your child needs to recover, get professional legal help today.

Contact Our Experienced Maryland Dog Bite Attorneys Today

Dog bites in Maryland can cause injuries that impact children for a long time afterward. At Berman Sobin Gross LLP, our experienced Maryland dog bite attorneys hold reckless dog owners accountable and fight for the compensation your family needs to recover. Reach out to our office and request a consultation today.

Sources:

cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5226a1.htm

mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/laws/StatuteText?article=gcj&section=3-1901

avma.org/resources/pet-owners/dog-bite-presvention