Shea Law Group - Dog Bite Lawyer of Chicago

Signs It's Time to Call Animal Control

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In the city of Chicago and in the surrounding area, Animal Control is a public service that protects citizens from dangerous animals and helps them deal with animal-related disturbances, such as dog bites. Here are a few reasons to call Animal Control.

• You See an Animal Displaying Signs of Rabies:  Any indication of rabies should be taken very seriously, as animals infected by the disease can often be very aggressive. They may also display restlessness, disorientation, excessive salivation, and trouble breathing. If you believe that you have encountered a rabid animal, stay away and call Animal Control immediately.
• You Suffer a Dog Bite:  If you are bitten by a dog severely enough to break the skin, call Animal Control after you have cleaned the wound and sought medical attention. The dog may need to be quarantined for rabies and you will need to be monitored for signs of infection or illness.
• You Find an Injured Animal:  If an injured animal is walking through your neighborhood, do not approach it. The animal may interpret your attempt to help as a sign of aggression and attack. Call Animal Control, as this agency can rescue the animal and administer veterinary care.
• You See a Dog Running Loose: Dogs that wander around a neighborhood without their owners could be dangerous or aggressive. To prevent any incidents, call Animal Control. If you see the dog attacking someone or behaving dangerously, call 911 for immediate assistance.
• You Witness Animal Cruelty: Owners who do not provide adequate food, water, or shelter to a pet should be reported immediately. Neglect can induce aggression against others in the pet. If you see abuse in the form of organized dog fighting or other cruel behavior, call Animal Control. Dog fighting is a crime that must stopped as soon as possible, as it encourages aggression and cruelty.

Any dangerous or disruptive animal should be reported to Animal Control immediately. If you have been injured by a dog, seek medical attention and contact Shea Law Group to discuss your legal options for recovering damages in a dog bite lawsuit. To reach our Chicago office, call (888) 529-4185.

What to Do if You're Approached by an Unattended Dog

Many dog owners are responsible and do their best to keep their dogs in a yard or on leashes. However, some dogs are left unattended or allowed to run loose. Here are a few tips for safely handling unknown dogs that approach you so that you can avoid dog bites.

Try to determine the dog’s state of mind. Though you should be wary of any unattended dog, some merit more care than others. Canine body language can tell a lot about a dog’s state of mind. A dog whose tail is down, ears are back, and teeth are bared is probably more dangerous than a dog that is wagging its tail with a relaxed appearance.

Stay calm. No matter how scared you feel, try to act calm and collected. Do not make any swift movements. Dogs can sense agitation, and your nervousness may actually make them more nervous and aggressive. Stand as still as possible with your hands at your side.

Do not run. It may seem to make sense to run away from a dangerous animal, but this can trigger a dog’s prey drive and cause it to chase you, escalating the situation. If you need to get away from the dog, walk backwards slowly. Do not walk towards the animal, as it may interpret this as aggression.

Do not make eye contact. Eye contact is a sign of aggression and dominance among canines, and a dog may react by attacking you. Try to stay aware of the dog’s movements without looking into its eyes.

If the dog is aggressive, firmly say, “No!” Generally, you shouldn’t try to talk to the dog or pet it. However, if it makes a move towards you and you feel threatened, say “No!” very loudly and authoritatively.

The dog bite attorneys at Shea Law Group can help you evaluate your legal options if you have been bitten by a dog. We can help you obtain medical and compensatory damages during this difficult time. To schedule a consultation, call our Chicago office at (888) 529-4185.

Learn More About Dog Bite Law With These Links

• As this study points out, small dogs may be more likely to bite people, but larger dogs cause more severe injuries when they attack.
• According to DogTime.com, many factors, including whether a dog is neutered, can affect his level of aggression.
• Check out this Psychology Today article to learn about factors that make a dog aggressive.
• Denver news anchor Kyle Dyer suffered a severe dog bite on television. Though the injuries were painful and required plastic surgery, it looks like she will make a full recovery.
• The city of Chicago is considering banning pit bulls after two of them recently attacked a jogger.

Even Professionals v at Risk for Dog Bites

Anyone, even a professional dog trainer, can be the victim of an unexpected dog bite. For more evidence, take a look at this video of dog whisperer Cesar Milan.

Though Cesar is an internationally recognized canine expert, he still has trouble with the aggressive dog in the video, and he does eventually get bitten, despite his best efforts to control the animal. There is no doubt that someone without his expertise could have suffered a much more serious injury.

If you’ve been injured by a dog, it is not your fault. Dogs are dangerous, and they can do serious injury. If you have sustained a dog bite and would like to discuss your legal options for recovering financial compensation, call Shea Law Group in Chicago at (888) 529-4185.

Reasons to Be Alert Around Dogs Even in a Controlled Environment

Dogs make great pets for millions of Americans, but that doesn’t mean they are always docile. If dogs feel threatened, they are very likely to bite the person making them feel that way, regardless of their usual calm behavior. Here are just a few reasons to be on guard around dogs, especially if you have children:

Dogs Bite Unexpectedly.

Every year, millions of Americans are bitten by dogs, and hundreds of thousands require hospitalization. These injuries can sometimes lead to permanent scarring and disfigurement. Though there are tactics you can adopt to help keep yourself and your children safe around dogs, ultimately there is no way to guarantee that a dog will never bite a human.

Children do not Understand Dogs.

Research shows that children simply do not understand how to interact with dogs. According to one study, only one-third of children could accurately read a dog’s body language to understand when it was frightened, and some kids even thought that a dog’s aggressive snarl was actually a welcoming smile. A child’s way of interacting with a dog usually involves hugging and up-close interaction, which many dogs will interpret as aggression and an attempt at dominance. In light of these miscommunications, it is understandable that some dogs bite children out of fear.

Children Play Rough with Dogs.

When a child wrestles with a dog, the dog does not always understand that it is play—sometimes, it sees the behavior as fighting, and its instinct will be to fight back. Similarly, when a small child pets a dog roughly or grabs its fur, it will react the way it would to a puppy: with a warning bite. Unfortunately, this can seriously injure a child.

These are just a few of the reasons you should always be alert around dogs, especially if children are nearby. If you or someone you love has experienced the painful results of canine aggression, you deserve compensation. Call (888) 529-4185 to schedule an appointment with Shea Law Group in Chicago.