Americans love their dogs. Millions of them live with families across the United States, and Miami is no exception. Given the booming population of these domestic pets, a legal issue that’s been growing is that of dog bites. Dog bites happen in alarming numbers across the United States, and they often cause serious injuries or even worse in some situations. As a result, the US Postal Service is marking this week as Dog Bite Awareness Week in order to bring more attention to the problem.
According to the Miami Herald:
“Nationwide about 4.5 million people are bitten each year by dogs. And almost one in five of those require medical attention.
Small children, the elderly, and U.S. Postal Service letter carriers are the most frequent victims. The Postal Service offers these tips:
1. Find out what time the carrier usually brings your mail.
2. When the carrier is due to visit, check to be sure your dog is inside.
3. If you need to open the door to sign for a letter, put the dog in another room
4. If you have a mail slot, keep your dog away from the slot so the carrier’s fingers don’t get bitten.
5. If your mailbox is inside your fenced yard, and your dog is also, keep the dog on a leash away from the mailbox.
6. When your dog is outside, never walk up to the letter carrier and ask for your mail.
7. If you see a dog running loose in your neighborhood, report it to the authorities.
8. Never approach a strange dog. Only approach a dog that is on a leash with his owner.
9. When a strange dog comes near you, stand like a tree, or if you are on the ground, curl up your legs, cup your hands over your ears and lay still like a rock!”
If you or someone you love has been injured in a dog attack, contact the Miami personal injury lawyers at the law firm of Bernstein & Maryanoff today to schedule a free initial consultation. The firm has been fighting for the rights of those wrongfully injured by dogs and other humans for more than two decades.
Thu, May 21, 2009
Animal Attacks/Dog Bites, Personal Injury