It is certainly true that anyone can suffer from a dog bite. Every year, children, adults and even elderly individuals suffer injuries.
That said, children face an especially high risk. They are involved in many of these incidents and have the highest rate of fatal dog bite accidents. Let’s look at a few reasons why this happens.
Physical size
One problem that children have is simply being shorter and weaker than adults. For instance, it’s more likely that children will suffer bite injuries to the neck or face. Older children and adults tend to suffer bites on their hands or legs. But a child who is only two or three years old may be roughly the same height as the dog, putting them at an elevated risk.
Additionally, because children aren’t as strong as adults, they have less ability to fend off the dog. An adult may suffer serious injuries that require hospitalization, but they will survive the encounter. A child, on the other hand, may not be as strong as the dog—especially dangerous breeds like Rottweilers or Pit Bulls, which are known for their strength.
Problematic behaviors
Finally, children sometimes exhibit problematic or dangerous behaviors around dogs. They may not understand what signs to look for if a dog is dangerous or aggravated. They may also assume that the dog is friendly. For instance, a child who has a friendly dog at home may happily run up to a strange dog to give it a hug, which the dog mistakes for aggression.
If your child has been injured and you believe a negligent dog owner was at fault, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation.