On Dec. 8, 2022, a man was attacked by two pit bulls in West Des Moines. According to police, the dogs refused to stop attacking the man. They had to put one dog down while the one ran away. The dog who fled the scene was eventually found and contained. The man was unconscious and sustained life-threatening injuries from the attack.
Common Myths About Dog Bites
If you have been bitten by someone else’s dog, a Des Moines, IA dog bite lawyer can help. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and other losses. However, you may have heard misinformation about dog bites that are making you reluctant to file a claim.
Here are some common myths about dog bites that you shouldn’t believe.
- Certain dog breeds never bite. Many people associate dog bites with aggressive dog breeds, like pit bulls and Rottweilers. However, any dog can be capable of biting. Even a friendly dog can bite if it feels threatened. Therefore, you should never attempt to pet a strange dog without asking the owner for permission first.
- The dog will have to cover your costs out-of-pocket. Some people are reluctant to file a personal injury claim if a family member or friend’s dog bites them. They may feel guilty the person will have to pay all of their expenses out-of-pocket. However, you should understand that in most cases, the dog owner’s home insurance company will take care of the costs. Don’t feel guilty about pursuing a claim because you deserve to be compensated for your losses.
- A dog will always growl before biting. Many people assume that a dog that is getting ready to bite will always growl. However, as a Des Moines dog bite lawyer can confirm, that’s not always the case. Sometimes dogs will show subtler signs, like wagging its tail, yawning and shaking. If a dog is exhibiting these signs, it needs space.
- Familiar dogs won’t bite. Even if you’ve been around a family member or friend’s dog multiple times, it still has a chance of biting you. If the dog is stressed out or in pain, it may bite you. If a familiar dog looks stressed, you should stay away.
- Dog bites can’t get infected. This is another common myth. Dogs have very strong jaws, so they can crush tissue, which easily gets infected. That’s why it’s necessary to seek medical care after a dog bite injury.
- Dogs that bite are mean. When you have just been bitten by a dog, it’s easy to assume that the dog is vicious. However, that might not be the case. Just because a dog bites, doesn’t mean that it’s mean. Sometimes dogs will bite when they feel threatened or scared. They might also be more likely to bite someone if they’re in pain.
If you have been bitten by someone else’s dog, you may want to contact a Des Moines dog bite lawyer from Des Moines Injury Law.
