A dog bite can happen anywhere at any time.
Who Are The Most Common Victims of Dog Bites in Massachusetts?
Unfortunately, the majority of dog bite victims we see in our practice involve young children. This is true in our Chelsea office and our other offices throughout Massachusetts.
One of the most likely causes of children being victims of dog bites is the fact that children aren't always aware of how dangerous a dog can be.
Children are Common Victims of Dog Bites in Massachusetts for Several Reasons:
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Unpredictable Behavior: Children often move quickly, make loud noises, and may unintentionally provoke dogs.
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Lack of Understanding: Young children may not recognize warning signs of aggression or fear in dogs.
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Height and Size: Children are closer to a dog's eye level, which can be perceived as a threat, and their smaller size makes them more vulnerable.
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Limited Supervision: Bites often occur when children are unsupervised around dogs.
Educating children and adults on safe dog interactions can help reduce dog bites and dog-related injury incidents. It is important for a child's parent or guardian to teach them how to act around dogs, and to supervise them when around dogs. It is also essential for a dog's owner to be even more careful and observe their dog when small children are around.
Dog Attacks Involving Children in Massachusetts Can Be Catastrophic
Recently, a 7-year-old boy was attacked and killed by two dogs in Lowell, Massachusetts. The young boy was attacked and killed by two pit bulls after the child entered a fenced-in area where the dogs were kept. Neighbors described the dogs as large and territorial and reported the dogs would bark loudly whenever people walked by.
Are Bite-Prone Dog Breeds Allowed Around Children Too Often?
The above tragic incident is just one of many attacks by pit bulls over the years in Massachusetts. Just this year, a 2-year-old child was bit by a pit bull mix on Cape Cod and was flown to a hospital in Boston for treatment. The dog and child were familiar with each other before the incident.
Pit bulls and pit bull mixes account for most fatal dog bite cases nationwide. About 65% of fatal dog bite incidents are caused by pit bulls, according to the nonprofit organization DogsBite. This percentage has held consistent for about 20 years. From 2005 to 2015, pit bulls were the cause of 232 deaths, which accounted for 64 percent of all deaths caused by dog bites during that decade. Today, pit bulls are still responsible for about the same percentage of fatal dog bite cases.
According to DogsBite, dog pack attacks and off-property attacks by dogs have been rising recently. Pack attacks have increased 93% since pre-COVID data and off-property dog attacks have likewise risen 65%.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the pit bull breed descended from the English bull-baiting dog, which was bred "to bite and hold bulls, bears and other large animals around the face and head." In addition to being bred for bull-baiting or fighting, pit bulls are also dangerous due to having a solid physical build and powerful jaws.
Many of the dangers associated with pit bulls are also a result of factors such as poor training, abuse, neglect, or lack of socialization.
It is important to note that any dog is capable of causing severe harm or death, especially if not adequately trained or handled. Responsible ownership, training, and socialization are key to preventing aggressive behavior in any dog breed.
While all dogs can be dangerous, and training plays a large part, certain dog breeds are known for their aggressive behavior and, therefore, have a higher likelihood of causing injuries. The following are statistically among some of the most dangerous dog breeds in terms of attacking and biting humans:
- Pit Bulls
- Rottweilers
- German Shepherds
- Mastiffs
- Huskies
- Alaskan Malamutes
- Doberman Pinschers
Due to their size, strength, and protective instincts, these breeds are sometimes involved in more severe incidents. Responsible ownership and education are vital to preventing dog attacks.
If I am Injured By a Dog in Massachusetts, Who Will Pay My Medical Bills?
Most often, when a dog causes injuries to someone and that person seeks to assert their legal rights for compensation against the dog owner, the owner's homeowners or renters insurance company steps in to cover the claim by the injured person.
So, even if you are not the "suing type," it is essential to know that most of the time, your claim is not actually against an individual, but instead, it is against their home insurance policy. This means that the insurance company will compensate you and not the dog owner themselves. This may alleviate some stress if you were injured by a dog, especially if someone you know, such as a neighbor or friend, is the dog's owner. We even helped a man sue his own sister's insurance company for injuries he suffered when his sister's dog bit him. We explained the process to him and his sister so they could move forward with an understanding of how the process would work and how it would help the brother get the compensation he needed to recover from the dog bite injury.
Insurance companies have seen a dramatic spike in dog bite and dog injury claims and have paid out large sums to injured claimants. As a result, insurance companies have attempted to reduce their losses by excluding coverage in their policies for certain breeds of dogs they deem "dangerous." Such attempts at "breed discrimination" by the insurance industry have been and continue to be addressed by the Massachusetts Legislature.
Lawmakers have submitted a bill to prevent insurance companies from discriminating against homeowners based on their dog's breed. Rep. Jack M. Lewis (D-Framingham) sponsors H.554, a bill allowing dog owners to purchase insurance to cover injuries caused by their dogs regardless of the breed. Currently, it remains legal for property insurance providers in Massachusetts to increase premiums or deny coverage to households with specific breeds of dogs. The range of dogs affected may include labrador retrievers, boxers, giant schnauzers, German shepherds, chows, great Danes, Alaskan malamutes, and more.
Under the proposed law, insurance companies would be prohibited from refusing to offer homeowners or renters insurance coverage based on the specific breed of an individual's dog. The insurer could not refuse to issue a policy, renew a policy, cancel a policy, or raise the premium based on the dog's breed.
The bill provides an exception for a dog designated a "dangerous dog" by a local community.
Another pending bill, Bill H.1367, sponsored by representatives Rogers of Cambridge and Montaño of Boston, is a proposed act to maintain stable housing for families with pets in economic crises and beyond. As of 2024, this bill was favorably moving forward and would work to end breed discrimination in property insurance practices.
What Should I Do if Injured by a Dog in Massachusetts?
If you're injured by a dog in Massachusetts, take the following steps:
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Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health by getting treatment for any injuries.
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Report the Incident: Contact local animal control or the police to report the dog bite.
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Document Everything: Gather evidence, such as photos of your injuries, witness statements, and details about the dog and its owner.
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Consult a Lawyer: Consult a personal injury lawyer to understand your legal rights and options for compensation.
If you have been bitten by, attacked, or injured in any way by a dog, seek medical attention and then call Spada Law Group's experienced dog bite and dog injury attorneys. We can help you gain compensation for your injuries and hold the dog owner responsible – which also may help prevent future dog attacks.
Injured By A Dog in Boston or Massachusetts? Reach out for a FREE Consultation With A Dog Bite and Dog Injury Lawyer
Dog bite and dog injury cases can be quite serious. Injuries from a dog bite can be life-changing.
If you or a loved one were a victim of a dog bite or dog injury in Massachusetts, you have rights and may be able to get compensation for your medical bills, time lost from work, pain and suffering, and more. Our experienced dog bite attorneys are here to guide you every step of the way.
Over the last three decades, we've helped thousands of people in Massachusetts get the recovery they need after a dog attack injury. Recently, Boston Magazine named Attorney Spada one of Boston's Top Personal Injury Lawyers. As personal injury lawyers, you never pay us a penny until we win your case. We're here and ready to help.
We have three offices but proudly serve the entire state with the ability to meet with you remotely from the comfort of your own home. Contact us for a free consultation so we can learn more about your dog bite or dog injury case and see how we can help you get the recovery you deserve after your situation occurs. The consultation is free, and there is absolutely no obligation to hire us.