Dog bites are starting to be a common cause of injury. Being informed can help you prevent being a victim.

Dog bites are the second common cause for children going to the emergency room. Did you know that 60% of the 4.7 million people bit every year are children? When a dog attacks someone it usually happens at the home of the dog or in a familiar place. If a person is bitten or attacked it is very important that they identify the dog that bit them. If they don’t know any information about the dog or what kind of dog it was they may have to be treated for rabies.

There are many reasons why a dog might attack or bite someone. The main ones are:
• Dominance over the person they are attacking or biting
• To protect their territory
• Fear of the person or thing they are attacking.

You shouldn’t have to be afraid to be around dogs even though it seems like there are more and more dog bites happening. There are ways you can stay safe and prevent being a dog bite victim. First you shouldn’t ever try to kiss or hug your dog face to face. Dogs generally do not like this and it could trigger an attack. Dogs like to be petted on the top of their head and on their belly, chest, or side of their neck. If you are around a dog that starts to get aggressive it is a good idea to be still and not antagonize the animal anymore. Do not make any sort of direct eye contact with the dog and stand still with your arms by your sides, this will distract the dog and hopefully help it to calm down.

If you are attacked by a dog you should try to put anything you can between you and the dog. For example “feed” him your jacket, purse, bicycle etc. If you fall or are knocked down, curl into a ball with your hands covering your ears and remain motionless, you should never scream or roll around, because this will only drive the dog’s aggression. The most common areas for bites are the lips, nose, and cheeks; you should try to protect your face as much as you can.

Tips to avoiding a dog bite:
• Never approach a strange dog
• Do not turn your back on a dog and run away, a dog’s natural instinct is to chase and catch you
• If a dog approaches you to sniff, remain still and let him sniff
• Do not disturb a dog while it’s sleeping, chewing on a toy, caring for puppies, or eating
• Do not pet a dog without letting him see and sniff you first
• Remain motionless; the dog will go away once it can determine that you are not a threat

If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog in Iowa our personal injury attorneys at Walker, Billingsley & Bair are here to help answer your questions. With offices in Des Moines and Newton, attorneys Corey J. L. Walker and Erik D. Bair practice primarily in personal injury cases and are dedicated to leveling the field between insurance companies and injured Iowans. To learn more about your dog bite injury you can request our FREE Book that reveals: ? 3 Ways to Avoid an Attack ? 8 Things to do if Bitten or Attacked ? 6 Things to Know Before Talking to the Insurance Adjustor or Hiring an Attorney and much, much more.

Why offer a Free Book? Iowa Personal Injury Attorneys Corey Walker and Erik D. Bair have represented hundreds of injured Iowans, including many dog bite victims. They have seen too many people make mistakes before they had the “right” information resulting in them losing thousands of dollars. Whether you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog or are just around dogs this book is available to you. Finally, you can learn about Iowa dog bites in the comfort of your own home with no risk or obligation. So to learn how to avoid a dog bite or costly mistakes go to http://www.DogBiteBook.com or Call Now (800)-707-2552, ext. 813 (Recorded Consumer Awareness Message).