Chicago Dog Bite Lawyer - Article

Children and Dog Safety

Many children are delighted by and curious about the dogs they meet in their neighborhoods. While parents certainly want to encourage their children to bond with animals and learn about the world, it is also important to keep in mind that even a domesticated dog has the instincts of a wild animal. Even a dog that has never shown signs of aggression may bite when it feels threatened or annoyed.

To help your children stay safe, make sure they know the following tips:

• Always speak to the dog’s owner before approaching or petting the dog. Some pets do not like to be touched, or are unfriendly towards children. Do not approach feral dogs at all, as they may be aggressive or even carrying a disease.
• If you have permission to pet a dog, approach it slowly. Dogs, like most other animals, can be very cautious around people they don’t know. Hold your palm towards the dog, fingers curled in, to give it a chance to smell you. Don’t make any attempt to touch the dog if it has not licked your hand, walked closer to you, or shown some other sign of approval.
• Be very gentle when touching any animal. Many children do not understand how rough they are being when they pull a dog’s ears or stroke its fur too aggressively. You may want to use a blanket or stuffed animal to teach small children how to gently stroke rather than push.

Unfortunately, safety tips cannot always protect us from dogs that have been poorly trained or are not properly restrained. If you or a loved one has suffered from an unprovoked dog attack, you may want to explore your legal options.

Contact the Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers

To speak with an experienced Chicago dog bite lawyer, contact the offices of Friedman & Bonebrake today at 312-466-8200.