Injuries from Dog Bites in Florida

Dogs are favorite pets for most Americans. However, they can also become their worst enemies whenever they bite. The possibility of a dog bite is something no one wants to deal with. This is because even small dogs can cause serious injuries when they attack a person. According to the Veterinary Centers of America Inc. (VCA):

“Dog bites can cause significant injury to the skin and soft tissues. The dog’s teeth and jaws are very powerful and the wounds they inflict can crush or tear muscles and skin, penetrate through the chest wall causing lung collapse, or cause serious or fatal damage to intestinal organs.”

The VCA warns that because a dog’s mouth is full of bacteria, a dog bite that punctures the skin can cause a dangerous spread of infections throughout the human body. National statistics show that “Approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States. Nearly 1 out of 5 bites becomes infected.” 

Despite the risk of injury, dogs remain a popular choice of companion for many American households. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA), nearly 40 % of American households include a canine companion (compared to 25% for cats and 2% for birds). 

And with the holiday season upon us, animal shelter organizations are encouraging people to give the gift of companion animals to their loved ones. If you’re considering adopting a pet this year, keep in mind that just like many other states across the U.S., Florida has strict liability laws for lawsuits involving injuries caused by dog bites.