Dog bites can lead to serious injuries. If the dog owner was negligent, the injury victim may be able to take legal action to pursue compensation.
Owners are often surprised when their dog is accused of biting someone, saying that it has never happened before or that it is very out of character for the dog. As such, it can be helpful to understand why dog bites happen in the first place. Below are three reasons to keep in mind.
Dogs are territorial
First of all, many dogs are inherently territorial and will try to protect that territory. This could be why an off-leash dog will run out of its yard to chase someone who is jogging by, for instance. The dog sees the person as a potential threat, especially because they are moving quickly and the dog’s prey drive kicks in.
Food aggression changes the dog’s behavior
Another thing to consider is that dogs will sometimes bite if they are disturbed while eating food. They can become very possessive, and food aggression can happen quickly. If a child suddenly approaches a dog while it is eating and tries to pet it, for instance, the dog may instinctively bite.
The dog is afraid or startled
Finally, fear can play a major role. If a dog thinks that someone is a threat, it could feel stressed and afraid, and this can lead it to bite to try to protect itself. Some dogs will also bite when they are startled, such as if someone wakes a dog up from a deep sleep.
Have you or a child suffered serious injuries in a dog bite incident? If so, be sure you know how to seek compensation for medical bills and other damages.