Dog Bites – A Growing California Epidemic

Dog Bites – A Growing California Epidemic

In 2006, about 27,000 people sought emergency room care for dog bites. In 2015, that number was up to 39,000, a shocking increase of 44%. In that same time period, the number of people seeking treatment for dog bites who had to be admitted for care increased from 800 to 1,400 – a 75% increase. Not only are dog bites an increasingly common problem in California, but it seems the severity of the attacks has grown worse as well.

California Dog Bite Statistics

One of the reasons dog bites are becoming a bigger issue in the state is the trend toward getting larger dogs. Pit bulls and pit bull mixes are far more likely to bite and do damage than many of the smaller breeds of dog.

The age groups that are most at risk are the very young and the very old. In fact, about one-quarter of dog attack deaths in the state involve children under the age of 10. The most common age group for dog bites is 5 to 9, and the second most common age range is 0 to 4. This should impress upon parents and dog owners of the need to be careful when it comes to having children near a dog.

Getting Help After a Dog Bite

Medical attention is vital after being bit by any type of animal. Unfortunately, medical bills resulting from a dog attack can reach into the thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. In many cases, liability may be on the part of the owner. After receiving any emergency medical care that is needed, your next call should be to Petrov Law Firm. Our personal injury attorneys can help you to determine if you are deserving of compensation. Call 619-344-0360 to get a free consultation.