People often make the mistake of thinking that only a bite from a stereotyped “aggressive breed” like a Rottweiler bite or a German Shepherd bite can cause a serious injury. However, even the smallest of dogs can cause serious permanent scarring if they get you the wrong way. We have seen tiny dogs nip a person’s lip and take it nearly off. Dog bites from all types of dogs can cause serious permanent injuries that range from scarring to infections and broken wrists and legs. You should never take the risk of a dog bite lightly.
Causes and Warning Signs of Dog Bites
At the end of the day, even the friendliest dog is still an animal with instincts. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, about 800,000 people per year are bitten by a dog severely enough to require medical attention. Children and the elderly are the top two groups affected by dog bites, with children making up about half of all dog bite victims. Texas is also the number one state for dog bite fatalities, with 34 fatal dog bites between 2005 and 2023. Most dog bites occur because the animal is startled or frightened or feels threatened in some way. A dog may display warning signs before it lunges or bites, such as growling, barking, showing its teeth, or crouching in a defensive position.
Approaching a strange dog without asking its owner is generally a bad idea, even if the dog seems friendly. It may be reactive to strange people or even to something as subtle as the perfume you are wearing. Depending on the dog’s history, anything could trigger defensiveness.
Approaching a dog’s food or toys, especially while the dog eats or plays, could also end in bites or snaps. This behavior is known as resource guarding, and some dogs exhibit these tendencies more than others. Certain dogs even guard their owners and may become defensive if they perceive a threat to their person, which to a dog, a simple hug or playful nudge could be perceived as such.
Injuries from Dog Bites
The force of a dog’s bite, measured in pounds per square inch (psi), will impact the severity of any injuries suffered. The average dog has a bite force of about 230-250 psi, which is about twice the bite force of the average human. Some dogs are much higher such as Akita bites that can be over 300 psi. The force of any dog bite is enough to cause serious injuries.
Scarring and Disfigurement
If a dog bite breaks the skin, the wound is likely to bleed and may even require stitches. Serious dog bites often leave permanent scarring and can even cause disfigurement, which can negatively affect a person’s self-esteem and confidence for the rest of their life. For people whose careers are wholly or partially dependent on their appearance, such as modeling or acting, scarring from a dog bite may impact their earning capacity or even make it impossible to find work.
Infections Caused by Dog Bites
Once a dog’s teeth enter the skin, there is a high chance of infection, and even potentially rabies, being transmitted through the dog’s saliva. Because of this, antibiotics are typically prescribed following a dog bite report. For a small percentage of victims, the use of antibiotics can lead to a C. diff bacterial infection, which can cause symptoms ranging from horrible diarrhea to life-threatening illness.
Crush Injuries or Broken Bones
Crush injuries occur when a part of the body is squeezed or crushed between two objects. A dog’s jaws can apply enough force to cause a crush injury, especially if the dog hangs on for more than a few seconds. Bones can easily break under this kind of pressure. A bone crush injury that doesn’t heal correctly can have debilitating effects that last for the rest of a dog bite victim’s life.
Mental Trauma or Post-Traumatic Stress
A dog attack can permanently change a person’s life and views of animals. Someone who was once an enthusiastic dog lover may develop mental trauma or even PTSD after suffering a dog bite. They may be permanently fearful around dogs and even face difficulty going out in public for fear of encountering another dangerous dog.
Degloving Injuries
A degloving injury occurs when the skin is peeled or ripped off the layers below or right off the bone. A fingertip severance is a degloving-type injury.
How Can a Dog Bite Affect Victims Down the Road?
Dog bites can leave lasting trauma, both physical and mental, and affect a person’s life and career for years to come. Especially in the case of a severe attack, a dog bite victim may deal with permanent injuries or chronic pain.
If a dog bit you or a loved one and you are facing permanent or long-lasting injuries and losses, consider speaking with the Texas dog bite attorneys of Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., about your options for recovery.
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