Safety Tips For A Dog Attack

A Brevard County woman narrowly escaped being attacked by two dogs recently. Police say that the woman was exiting her car when the dogs ran up to her, growling and foaming at the mouth. Fortunately she was able to close her car door before she was bitten.

Thankfully the woman was able to take shelter in her vehicle, but what if that's not a possibility?

• If a loose dog approaches you, stand completely still. Keep your hands at your sides and try to stay calm and quiet. 
• Do not make eye contact with the dog. 
• If you have been knocked to the ground, curl up into a ball. Keep your knees to your chest and your hands over your ears. Keep your face as close to your knees as possible. Again, try to remain calm. 
• Make very slow movements and don't run. This may excite them. 

There are steps dog owners can take to reduce the chance of an attack:

• Studies have proven that spaying or neutering your dog reduces aggression. 
•  Never slap, hit, or hurt a dog.
• Speak to your dog in a calm voice. If you feel yourself getting frustrated, take a time out. 
• Don't bother a dog when it is eating, or chewing a bone. 
• Never leave a child unattended with a dog. 88 percent of fatal dog attacks among two year olds happened when the child was left unsupervised with the dog. 
• 24 percent of fatal dog attacks involved a loose dog that was off their owner's property.
• Obey leash laws. You will be protecting your community and dog by doing so. 
• Do not chain your dog. Chained dogs are almost 3 times more likely to bite. Chaining a dog increases their stress, vulnerability, and protectiveness. Fencing is a safer, better solution. 

For more information on how to reduce your dogs aggression, visit www.americanhumane.org. If you have been attacked by a dog, contact Florida Animal Attack Attorney Jeffrey Sexton at (407) 293-1144.

Is Your Property Poorly Maintained?

Homeowners and businesses have a duty to make sure their property is reasonably safe. Premises liability is based on the concept that when individuals act without regard to their duty of care, the victim of a personal injury caused by that negligence should be compensated appropriately.

Every day, people are injured while on another party's property. This can include injuries that occur in someone's home, on a walkway, in a parking lot, or at a place of business such as a grocery store, department store, restaurant, amusement park, sports stadium, bar, nightclub, fitness center, or hotel. Often, people have the mistaken impression that wherever they suffer an injury, they may have a claim against the person who owns that property. However, unless the property has been negligently maintained, under Florida tort law, a property owner may not be liable.

Injuries resulting from poorly maintained properties are common and can involve:

• Assault at a place of business due to negligent security
• Poor parking lot or sidewalk maintenance
• Unsafe stairways
• Slip and fall accidents
• Falling merchandise (from shelves)
• Unsafe amusement park rides (overnight fairs)
• Dog bites or animal attacks
• Unsafe handrails
• Accidents at construction sites
• Injuries occurring in or around swimming pools, which can include spinal cord injuries, brain damage, or drowning

If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of negligence on behalf of a home or business owner, contact Florida Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Sexton