Dog bites cause thousands to seek medical attention

Animals, even those that are domesticated and seem docile, can sometimes be vicious. Obviously, wild animals can pose a threat to those who come across them, but even a beloved pet can attack in the blink of an eye. Although it may be difficult to determine what causes an animal to attack, this much is certain: these animals can cause serious harm. Victims can be left with extreme pain, emotional turmoil and even disfigurement.

So, just how common are these types of animal attacks? They occur more frequently than many people realize. In fact, between 2008 and 2012, Arizona saw more than 34,000 emergency room visits from dog bites alone. More than two thousand of those visits resulted in hospitalization. From 2006 to 2016, dogs were responsible for 20 deaths in Arizona, which is more deaths than those caused by bees and snakes. But, other domesticated animals can prove just as dangerous, as nearly 600 deaths in Arizona between 2008 and 2015 can be attributed to other animals, such as cats, pigs, horses and cows.

There are steps individuals can take to try to minimize their risk of being attacked by an animal. For example, avoiding any action to disturb a dog while it is sleeping or eating may reduce the risk. But, the truth of the matter is that individuals should not be permitted around animals that are dangerous. This is why the law allows individuals who have been injured by a domesticated animal to sue the animal’s owner in hopes of recovering compensation for damages.

Proving one of these legal cases can be difficult, as can the effort of showing the full extent of the victim’s damages. Arizona residents who have suffered harm caused by an animal owned by another individual may want to get more information about their legal options to learn how best to address the matter.

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