Dog Bites Bring Increase in Liability
Claims
Dogs may be
“man’s best friend”, but they also attack about 4.7 million people each year (it
amounts to 12,876 people a day). Of these attacks, as many as 1 million dog bite
victims require emergency medical treatment, costing Michigan insurers millions
in liability and “pain and suffering” damages. In the wake of dog bite
litigation claims, homeowners and landlords risk the greatest liability when
dogs’ main or kill.
Instances of dog-related injuries or attacks are not rare.
In fact, dog bites are on the rise and has become a
growing national trend.
The problem is especially noticeable in many of
Michigan’s most populated areas.
The National
Center for
Injury Prevention and Control reports that the number of dog bites increased in
recent years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that dogs
bit 4.7 million people last year.
Dog bites are the No.1 public health problem for children.
About 60% of people attacked are children under the
age of 14.
Tragically, 11 children under the age of 10 were killed in
these attacks (three were under one month).
Boy’s age 5-9 years old are most likely to be
attacked, and 58% of these attacks occur in their home.
About 65% of all reported dog bites take place while
the animal is being played with, fed, teased, abused or separated from another
dog, while 35% of the attacks are classified as being unprovoked by the victim.
There is a growing trend for homeowners to use aggressive dogs for
protection.
Unfortunately, innocent victims such as next door neighbors and mail
carriers are getting bit and they’re filing lawsuits.
Homeowners and renters who own dogs and go without liability
insurance (part of a standard homeowners or renters insurance policy)
risk losing everything in a liability lawsuit.
Insurance
companies pay out about $250 million a year in dog-bite related claims.
The number of people who required medical
treatment as a result of a dog bite increased from 585,000 in 1986 to
approximately 1 million in 1998 (a 71% increase).
More than 50% of the attacks result in neck
and facial injuries, and over 60% of the dog bite attacks require
emergency room visits.
Some insurance companies now ask in their
application forms whether a homeowner owns a dog, and may deny coverage
if the liability risk is considered too high.
The insurance industry estimates that
one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims are related to
dog attacks.
The cost of homeowners liability insurance results
from the fact that about 70% of the dog bite attacks occur on the
owner’s property.
Last year, dogs bit 2,795
U.S.
postal carriers.
These unprovoked attacks have prompted the
U.S. Postal Service to be among the first to start regularly suing
homeowners for attacks made by their dogs.
The Michigan Association of
Insurance Agents recommends the following precautions to avoid
dog bites and possible litigation:
·
Familiarize yourself with local ordinances and statutes governing dog
ownership.
·
Never allow your dog to run freely through the neighborhood.
·
Always walk your dog on a leash.
·
Post approved “Beware of Dog” warning signs around home and yard,
especially if your dog shows aggressive tendencies.
·
Avoid having your dog in the mailman’s delivery path.
·
Make sure your dog is up to date with required vaccinations.
·
Spay or neuter your dog—unsterilized dogs are far more likely to bite.
·
Report all dog bites to your local animal control shelter.
What are some dangerous situations to avoid?
·
Stay away from dogs that are in cars, chained or cornered.
·
Never run past a dog.
Joggers and children on bikes can trigger their instinct to chase or
attack.
·
Don’t go near a dog that is eating, chewing or nursing puppies.
·
Never tease a dog or play especially tough.
·
Never leave infants alone with a dog.
·
Never break up a dog fight with your hands, use a water hose if
necessary.
Source: Humane Society of the United States
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