They say dogs are man’s best friend. Yet, best friends don’t bite each other. You’ve probably seen news articles where the family pet attacks the child. It’s proof that dogs can be unpredictable, and you should always take a certain amount of care, especially around ones you do not know.
Can you tell which dog is likely to bite just by looking at it?
Remember that all dogs have teeth, and any one of them could choose to use them on you. Yet, there are often clues as to when a dog might bite. There are two areas to look at
The breed
The law picks out certain breeds as more dangerous than others. Yet, it’s also crucial to think about things like size. While big dogs can be lovely, one bite from their jaws could do much more damage than one from a miniature breed.
The breed is not always evident, either. Many dogs are mutts, a mix of breeds, and you cannot tell what characteristics they took from each parent. They may have the looks of their calm parent but the temperament of their aggressive one.
The situation
Is that dog smiling? Not necessarily. That big grin might be a sign that the dog feels threatened. A usually friendly dog may bite because they feel you threaten them or someone close to them. Or they might snap out if you touch an injured part.
What can you do if a dog bites you or your child?
California law holds dog owners liable for the harm their dog causes. It typically won’t come out of their pocket but from their homeowner’s insurance. So you needn’t feel bad if it is someone you know. Getting the compensation you need won’t be straightforward, so you should seek experienced legal help if someone’s dog injured you.