Exemption From Strict Liability
There are certain exceptions to the strict liability dog bite law. Dog owners may be able to evade responsibility for injuries caused by their dogs if:
What Happens if a Dog Bites a Child? By Steven Jensen | March 4, 2022 |
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), an estimated 4.5 million dog bites are reported each year in the United States. Unfortunately, half of these victims are children. Children aged 5 to 9 years old had the highest injury rates. Dog bites can do a lot of damage to children because they are still growing and developing.
So what if a dog bites your child? Victims of dog bites can launch a dog bite claim against the dog’s owner. A dog owner can be strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets.
What to Do If Your Dog Bites Your Child
First, immediately separate the dog and the child and assess the wound. Did the bite break skin? Is there blood? Does your child need to go to the emergency room? Once you have a plan, double-check to ensure both your child and your pup are up to date on their vaccinations. “You have to really make sure the child is not in any more immediate danger,” explains Dr. Elmaraghy.
Depending on the severity of the wound, dont be surprised if the child is skittish — or plain terrified — around dogs for the time being, or in the near future. “The childs going to be traumatized,” warns Dr. Elmaraghy. “Because a dog bite can be painful and fairly severe.” In general, until you can figure out why the bite happened and what youll be doing to prevent it from happening again, keep the dog and the child away from each other.