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Holiday Parties and Dog Bites

Group of people playing with Dog

Dog attacks and bite injuries can happen any time of the year. When a dog feels threatened or if they are poorly trained or aggressive, they can lash out and attack others, even those they are familiar with. Unfortunately, the holidays can be extra stressful for some dogs that don’t do well with social gatherings and lots of people crowding their territory.

Dogs that are usually calm and friendly can quickly become aggressive when they feel overwhelmed. However, being bitten by a friend or family member’s dog can put you in an uncomfortable position. You may feel the need to brush it off or simply ask that the dog’s owner help pay for the medical bills, but this can lead to complications down the road.

The Dangers of Dog Bites

Dog bites can easily become infected and can also result in emotional distress and symptoms of PTSD. They can be especially traumatizing and dangerous for young children. However, if you don’t report the incident when it happens and wait too long to seek care or file a claim, you can miss out on the compensation you may need to help cover the cost of medical expenses and other damages such as physical and emotional pain and distress.

Furthermore, the owner of the pet (even if it’s someone you know) may try to downplay the incident or may not agree to give you enough money to cover all of the damages that result from the dog bite/attack.

If you are bitten by a dog this holiday season, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer. Dog bites can result in severe injuries and can have lasting effects that may not be immediately apparent, and if you wait too long to report the incident and file a claim, you may be denied compensation. An attorney with experience handling dog bite cases will understand how uncomfortable it may be to file a claim against someone you know and can help guide you through the process to ensure the best possible outcome.

Common Dog Bite Injuries and Complications

Every year, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by a dog, and over 800,000 of those injured require emergency medical attention. Children are most at risk because of how they interact with animals and are more susceptible to severe and traumatizing injuries. While some dog bites may only result in minor injuries, they can also be quite severe and lead to complications such as infection, disease, and PTSD.

Common injuries that result from dog bites include:

  • Deep lacerations
  • Puncture wounds
  • Facial wounds
  • Hand and arm wounds
  • Fall injuries (from the dog jumping on the victim or from someone tripping and falling while trying to get away from the dog)
  • Infections
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Disease, such as rabies
  • Emotional wounds (i.e., experiencing emotional distress or PTSD from the trauma of being attacked)

Why Dog Bites Occur More During the Holidays

While the holidays might be a joyous time for those celebrating with friends and family, they can be particularly stressful for pets. Dog bites commonly occur around the holidays for various reasons. Risk factors that can contribute to dog attacks and bites during the holidays include:

  • Hosts distracted by their guests and leaving their dog(s) unsupervised
  • Children running around and provoking dogs that want to be left alone
  • Dogs feel overwhelmed by the number of people around them and their space being invaded
  • Dogs being stuck inside and feeling cooped up
  • Dogs being fed food from holidays meals that make them feel unwell and uncomfortable

Trust McCoy & Sparks—Premier Dog Bite Attorneys in Central Kentucky

If you are injured by a dog this holiday season, our team of experienced dog bite attorneys can help. We want our clients to have a happy and safe holiday season, but understand that sometimes accidents happen. Unfortunately, dog bite injuries can be particularly traumatizing and especially difficult to deal with over the holidays. Let us help you get the compensation you need so you can focus on what matters most, getting better and spending time with your loved ones.

Recognized as one of Central Kentucky’s best law firms for over a decade, McCoy & Sparks represents thousands of clients in Central Kentucky with a focus on providing premium service and delivering superior results. Regardless of the type of case, our goal is to develop a strategy that best serves your personal needs, then draw upon our courtroom skills to help you reach the best possible result.

You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Make the right call to (844) 4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our attorneys today.