More dog attacks reported

THE pet population is booming each year in cities across America. Maricopa County and its cities are no exception to the boom. In 2001 there were over 68 million dogs as pets in the United States. Each household does not always have one dog; it is common to find a household with more than one dog, especially people that use dogs to herd their livestock. With the growing dog population, the likelihood of becoming a victim and suffering a dog bite-related injury also increases. But these attacks are not just limited to single dog attacks, but multiple attacks too. A knowledgeable dog bite attorney can help you get the information you need in order to understand the owner's liability if you suffer from a multiple dog attack.

Types of injuries by multiple dogs:
• Fractures
• Puncture wounds
• Face and body mutilation
• Loss of skin
• Extensive blood loss
• Severe bruising

Between 1997 and 1998 15 percent of reported cases of fatalities involved multiple dogs. In general, multiple dogs caused 32 percent of dog bite-related injuries. Multiple dogs in households tend to form a pack and therefore an aggressive group of dogs could develop, bond and form pack instincts. Multiple dogs can be very dangerous, especially if the dogs are rottweilers or pit bull terriers, since those dogs are most likely to form a bond. There are preventive measures an owner or a stranger can take to decrease the chances of a dog bite-related injury or even fatality from multiple dogs.

Tips for multiple dog owners:
• Feed your dogs separately, this decreases their need for dominance over others during feeding times.
• Keep each dog apart when not supervised. Always know what your groups of dogs are up to.
• It is important to spend time with your dogs, both as a group and individually.
• If your dogs begin to fight, do not try to separate them.
• Socialize your dogs but never leave them alone.
• Train your group of dogs on proper and improper behavior.
• Although you as an owner may want to treat them as equals, hierarchy will form. It is important not to interfere with that.

Tips for people when approached by multiple dogs:
• Never try to break up fights
• Be aware that even chained dogs can bite you
• Do not pet unfamiliar groups of dogs
• If approached, stay perfectly still. The groups of dogs have a natural instinct to chase after anything running.
• If ever attacked, curl into the fetal position and cover your face and upper body.
• Do not yell or scream - this may increase the pack's aggression and irritability.

If you have been a victim of a serious brutal dog attack by one or more dogs and have suffered injuries, the owner should be held responsible. A dog bite injury lawyer can help. - PR