Did you know more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year? Even more shocking, children are the most common victims and most likely to be severely injured by dog bites, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Our Texas dog bite lawyers at The Button Law Firm are educating parents across the Lone Star State about the severity of children’s dog bite injuries and what to do after your child experiences one of these serious attacks.
Statistics: Dog Bites and Children by The Numbers
As already mentioned, children are the most common dog bite victims, and the injuries they sustain can be more severe. In fact, a 2022 medical study on pediatric dog bite injuries found:
- Children ages 0-9 years old are most likely to be seriously injured by a dog bite
- Dog bites accounted for 2.5 million emergency room visits for children from 2001 to 2017, ranking dog bites among the leading causes of nonfatal emergency room visits for children
- 50% of children are at risk of being bitten by a dog in their lifetime
- Most dog bites occur in the summer months
Common Injuries Texas Children Can Sustain in Dog Attacks
Because young children are small and closer in height and size to dogs, they are more likely to experience severe injuries to the:
- Head, including the face and neck
- Arms, fingers, legs, and toes, which may require amputation
- Nerves
- Organs
Approximately one-third to half of these young dog bite victims require a medical procedure to treat their wounds, according to the same pediatric dog bite medical study. What also may be surprising is the amount of time a child has to stay in the hospital: the average number of days for a dog bite is 2.5.
4 Steps to Take After a Dog Attacks Your Child in Texas
After your child is injured from a dog bite or animal attack, immediately follow these four important steps:
- Seek medical attention at your local hospital’s emergency room or an urgent care center. Often, the full extent of your child’s injuries from the dog bite is not visible. So while it’s important to prevent an infection, also check for broken bones or internal injuries and ensure that there are no foreign fragments or objects in the area of the bite. In serious dog bite cases, it’s critical that a child sees a professional, and Texas has wonderful medical facilities for children, including:
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- Dallas: Children’s Health
- Fort Worth: Cook Children’s Medical Center
- Galveston: Shriners Children’s Texas
- Houston: Texas Children’s Hospital
- Midland: Midland Memorial Hospital
- South Texas: Driscoll Children’s Hospital
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- Preserve evidence at the scene of the dog attack. The key to holding a dog owner responsible for their negligence is to gather as much information as possible about the dog and dog owner. Evidence should include the name, address, and phone number of the dog owner, photographs of your child’s wound(s), photographs of the scene and dog, the date and time of the bite, and a description of the dog. Waiting to gather evidence later decreases the likelihood of holding the dog owner accountable for their negligence.
- Report a dog bite to Texas animal control authorities if you have reason to believe that your child contracted rabies, in compliance with Texas State Health and Safety Code Section 826.041. This requirement may apply if you do not know the dog’s vaccination status or if your child was bit by a stray dog. Contact Texas animal control authorities by dialing 311.
- Reach out to our experienced Texas dog attack injury lawyers by calling 214-699-4409 or filling out a contact form. We know being attacked by a dog can result in significant physical and emotional trauma for your child. Your family may be eligible for compensation to cover medical expenses or damages for your child’s pain and suffering. We are ready to listen and advise you on the best approach to take to hold the dog’s owner accountable and get justice for your child’s traumatic experience and injuries. There is a two-year time limit for filing a personal injury claim in Texas, so reach out to our team as soon as possible.
More Texas Dog Bite and Attack Resources
Our Texas dog bite and attack lawyers have created additional resources to help you and your family after these painful experiences:
- What You Need to Know About Dog Bites and Attacks Involving Children
- How Traumatic Amputations Happen to Kids
- How Dog Bite Injuries Happen in Texas
- The Ultimate Guide to Dog Bite Injury Claims in Houston
- What to Do When You Are Attacked by a Dog in Dallas
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Texas Child Injury Lawyers After a Dog Attack
While dog bite and attack cases can be complicated, our team of experienced and compassionate Texas child injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm is dedicated to advocating for your family after your child is seriously injured by a dog attack or dog bite. With attorneys in Dallas, Houston, and Midland, we are ready to fight for you. Our attorneys at The Button Law Firm are recognized on the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers list, and we can help guide you after a traumatizing attack. We work on a contingency basis, which means we don’t charge or collect any upfront fees to get started on your case. Call us at 214-699-4409 or fill out a contact form for a free consultation.
