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Children are the most common victims of dog bites in Boston. According to the city’s Public Health Commission, the dog bite injury rate is highest in children between the ages of five and nine. Young children lack the strength to escape or fight off an aggressive animal and often don’t understand the danger a dog poses. This is especially true when the animal is a pet — and over half of all dog bites happen at home. Still, there are steps you can take to prevent your children from being victims of dog bites.
At the Earley Law Group, we understand the devastating effects that a dog bite injury can cause to children and their families. Here’s what you can do to reduce the likelihood of an attack.
Essential Tips for Children Around Dogs
Here are some things to teach your children about dealing with dogs.
- Avoid unfamiliar and/or unleased dogs – Children should be stopped or taught not to approach dogs they do not know or are roaming alone. Dogs thrive on structure and routine, and an unleashed dog may be anxious and more likely to bite if confronted. A dog you do not know may be aggressive or have rabies or another transmissible disease.
- Ask before petting – Don’t let your child approach an unfamiliar dog without the owner’s permission. Remember, dogs sniff people to greet and learn about them. Teach them to ask permission to pet the dog, and then make sure the dog sees your child and has a chance to sniff them before they pet gently on the dog’s shoulders and back. Hugs can make dogs uncomfortable, so it’s best not to let your child hug a strange dog.
- Respect personal space – If a dog grows tense, leans away from your child, whines, or growls, it is unhappy. Sudden movements or screaming can startle a dog and may lead them to bite. Children should avoid touching a dog on the tail, legs, paws, face, muzzle, genitals, and top of head.
- Notice body language – In addition to understanding growling or sharp barking, older children can learn to recognize when a dog’s body language indicates aggression, such as showing their teeth, pinning their ears back against their head, standing tall and stiffly, raising their hackles, or a staring intensely at someone or something.
- Don’t approach a dog that’s eating, sleeping, sick, or nursing puppies – A dog will be anxious about a potential threat to its food or its young and will instinctively protect them. Sleeping or sick dogs may act aggressively if disturbed or jostled.
- Don’t run from a dog – Running from a dog can trigger its instinct to chase and capture prey. A dog can catch a child of any age, and even when playing, it may knock the child down and bite them. Children should be taught to stand still and remain calm when a dog approaches them.
- Never tease or taunt a dog – A tormented dog who cannot flee may eventually bite or act aggressively to make the child stop.
Tips for Parents
As an adult, you should follow the tips above and model proper behavior for children when around dogs. As you introduce a child to your dog(s) or dogs in general, you should:
- Educate your child – Teach a toddler to be gentle with dogs. Tell them not to scream or pull ears, tails, or hair. As the child can understand, teach them not to tease a dog or bother it when it is resting, eating, or playing with a toy on its own. Teach a school-age child about avoiding strays and a dog’s body language.
- Supervise interactions – Always supervise your child and dog together until your child consistently acts calmly and appropriately. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, regardless of the dog’s typical temperament. Remove the child from the situation if the dog looks tense or unhappy. If the dog walks away from your child, stop the child from following.
- Report aggressive dogs – To report an aggressive dog in Boston, phone Boston Animal Control at (617) 635-5348 or email AnimalControl@cityofboston.gov. You can also call 911 if a dog attacks people or another animal in public. A person who has been attacked or threatened by a dog may file a complaint in writing to the Hearing Authority of the Animal Care and Control Unit of the Parks and Recreation Department that a dog owned or kept in the city of Boston is a dangerous dog.
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Know Boston’s Laws for Dog Owners
If you own a dog in Boston, you are responsible for following local ordinances pertaining to:
- Licensing – Annual licenses cost $15 for a neutered or spayed dog and $30 for an intact dog. Applications can be completed online.
- Leash laws – Dogs must be leashed when off the owner’s property in parks and other public places. The leash must be no longer than 10 feet. The fine for an unleashed dog in public is $100.
- Rabies vaccinations – Dogs 6 months old or older must be vaccinated against rabies.
- Control of pets – Dogs cannot worry, wound, or attack people or be unreasonably noisy. Dogs also cannot enter another’s property without permission.
Do You Have Specific Questions? Contact Our Law Firm Today
If your child has been bitten and injured by a dog in Boston, you may be eligible for compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. Contact a Boston dog bite lawyer at Earley Law for help. We aggressively pursue compensation for clients injured by dogs and will not seek legal fees unless we obtain compensation for you.
Past clients can attest to the value of the “Earley Experience,” our commitment to deliver premium client services and pursue results that make a meaningful difference in their lives. But don’t just take our word for it. Hear it from Mike N., who writes, “After my daughter was bit by a dog, I researched lawyers to call for help. The reviews of Chris were spot on. He was diligent and caring in his response to my questions and very consoling with my daughter and taking her injuries seriously. He is a great person to have in your corner and I highly recommend him because of his professional manner and smarts.”
Call or contact us today for a free consultation with a Boston dog bite attorney at Earley Law.
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