DOG BITE STATS & TIPS

According to an Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I) study, dog bites account for one-third of all homeowners’ insurance liability claims, costing $387.2 million in 2008, up 8.7 percent from 2007.

Statistically 61 percent of dog bites occur at the owner’s home; and 77 percent are by the dog of a family member or family friend.

In September 2000, a Vet Med Today Special Report (JAVMA, Vol. 217, No. 6, September 15, 2000) listed the dog breeds most responsible for the 282 bite-related fatalities between 1979 and 1998. The top five breeds (themselves responsible for 64.9 percent of all dog-bite fatalities) were:

1. Pit bull (26.95 percent of all fatalities);
2. Rottweiler (15.6 percent of all fatalities);
3. German Shepherd;
4. Husky; and
5. Malamute.

Many people love and want dogs and simple precautions can be taken to make dog ownership safer and more enjoyable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta suggest:

• Owners should carefully choose your pet dog by evaluating the environment and lifestyle.
• Speak with a professional to determine the appropriate type of pet for you and your family.
• Neuter your dog to reduce aggressive tendencies.
• Never leave infants or young children alone with a dog.
• Be sensitive to cues that a child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog.
• Teach your childrenbasic safety around dogs.
• Dogs with histories of aggression are inappropriate for families with children.
• Owners should not play aggressive games with their dog (i.e. wrestling).
• If bitten, the bite should be reported immediately.

Dog Owner Liability

In Michigan, two types of law govern the liability or responsibility imposed on dog owners:

• Dog-bite statute: The dog owner is automatically (or strictly) liable for any injury or property damage the dog causes as long as the dog was not provoked and the person who was bitten was not trespassing.

• General Negligence: The dog owner is liable if the injury occurred because the dog owner was unreasonably careless (negligent) in controlling the dog.

A dog owner who is legally responsible for an injury to a person or property may be responsible for reimbursing the injured person for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and property damage. Retaining an experienced attorney in this area of the law is always a good idea. Please feel free to contact the Davis Law Center toll free at 1-877-280-7189 with all your dog bite questions.