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Reasons Why a Dog May Bite

After a devastating dog bite attack hits the news, many Kansas and Missouri residents have one question on their minds, why did this have to happen? When the dog bite victim is a child, the question is even more poignant. What make a dog suddenly attack, especially when the animal has been a loving family pet?

Approximately two percent of the entire U.S. population will suffer from a dog bite each year. Of that number, many dog attacks will leave behind horrible injuries. Most dog bites require medical attention following the attack. Some argue that dangerous dog breeds account for hidden aggressiveness that cannot be trained out of the dog. Others suggest a link to the way a dog is handled by its owners.

Dogs may exhibit several common types of aggression. Dominance aggression is defined aggression towards a family member after the dog is petted or picked up, or otherwise disturbed. Defensive behavior by a canine is aimed at family members or unknown persons when the dog is afraid. The dog may have been approached too quickly or at close range. Dogs may become protectively aggressive when a stranger approaches the family or a family member.

Dogs often become predatory toward small animals or even children. This type of aggression is likely when there are other dogs present. When a dog is hurt or injured, it may lash out at family members or strangers alike. This is called pain-elicited aggression. Likewise, a dog that is assaulted physically or verbally may lash out in punishment-elicited aggression directed at the abuser.

Finally, dogs may lash out at family members, strangers, or other animals when it is acting aggressively in other ways. Redirected aggression targets people or animals that are not the direct provokers of the dog's behavior.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), certain factors may lead dogs to bite.

• 1. The animal's family tree may cause aggressive tendencies. Certain dog breeds are considered more dangerous. Some animals, like pit bulls, were bred for the purpose of fighting.
• 2. How the animal has been exposed to certain social situations may predispose the animal to act out against stimuli. When the dog has not been properly exposed to children or other pets, aggression may be the natural reaction.
• 3. A dog that has not received the right training is a threat to others. Just as dogs trained to attack are aggressive, dogs that have not been trained well may bite.
• 4. An animal that is in pain or ill may lash out and bite for many reasons. Children should be trained to stay away from a dog that is sick or hurt.
• 5. Certain behaviors in the bite victim may provoke the dog. A dog may bite even when there is no outward aggression directed toward it. The actual stimulating behavior on the part of the victim may be unclear.

If you have been the victim of a dog bite attack, or a family member has suffered injuries from a dog that belongs to someone else, you may have questions about your rights to compensation. The dog bite lawyers at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys offer a no cost, no obligation consultation. You can reach Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys by calling 888-348-2616. Download your free copy of the resource guide 10 Essential Steps You Must Take To Protect Your Injury Claim for further information.

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