You may have heard that there’s a heightened chance of being injured by a dog during the hot summer months, and it’s actually true. Several studies have confirmed this statement, and our Bucks County dog bite lawyer can attest to its factuality based on the increase in dog bite cases that we often see in the summertime. So this begs the question – what sparks this rise in dog-related injuries? Here are a few factors that often work together to lead to conflicts between humans and canines during the summer:
- Summer vacation – According to the CDC, children between the ages of five and nine have the highest risk of being bitten by dogs. So when school lets out for the summer and kids begin to spend more time playing outside, the chance of them encountering dogs also goes up. In most cases this isn’t an issue; however, trouble may arise if a child pets a dog roughly or unintentionally makes the dog feel threatened. This is why it’s important for parents to supervise young children at all times, even if the dog in question is familiar and typically friendly.
- Increase in outdoor activities – Statistics show that most dog bites occur outdoors. Since people tend to participate in outdoor activities more often during the summer than any other season, it only makes sense that the most dog bites occur at this time.
- Hot weather – Although it hasn’t been proven, researchers have hypothesized that dogs may become irritable in the summer due to the hot weather, making them more likely to bite humans.
As you can see, there are many reasons why dog bites occur more frequently in the summer than other times of the year.
Follow These Tips to Avoid Summertime Dog Bites
Although there is no way to fully prevent dog attacks, taking these precautions will reduce your chance of being affected by one:
- If you have young children, make sure you or another responsible adult is watching them at all times. You should also teach your kids what to do if an unfamiliar dog approaches – stay still, and if the dog knocks you to the ground, curl into a ball and cover your neck and ears with your hands.
- When visiting parks or attending parties, always keep your dog on a leash. Even the nicest dogs may sometimes become stressed out and behave unexpectedly in social environments, and having the dog leashed will allow you to control it if this should happen.
- Look out for signs of rabies in dogs. These include aggressive behavior, stumbling and/or foaming at the mouth. If you see a stray dog (or a known dog) acting strangely, be sure to notify the local animal control team right away.
By following the tips that our Bucks County dog bite attorney has just laid out, you’ll limit your risk of having a dog bite incident ruin your summer.
Injured by a Dog? Contact the Heslin Law Firm
In the event that you or a loved one is hurt by a dog, you’ll need a trustworthy dog bite lawyer in Bucks County to help you file a case against the owner. Here at the Heslin Law Firm, we have more than 30 years of experience in helping dog bite victims receive fair settlements for their injuries. Plus, we’ve got the knowledge and expertise needed to handle other types of animal attack cases, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us no matter what your situation may be.
To schedule a free consultation with the dog bite attorney Bucks County trusts, call 215-332-0300 or visit the Heslin Law Firm website now. And if you’re traveling via SEPTA this month, be sure to read our blog post from last week. As always, thanks for keeping up with us!