If you plan to visit close friends or relatives during the holidays, there is a good chance you will be in a home with at least one dog. After all, according to Pawlicy Insurance Services, dogs are present in roughly 40% of California households.
Even if you are familiar with a dog, you must understand just how unpredictable companion animals can be. This is especially true during stressful times, like holiday get-togethers. While most dogs can bite any part of the body, three body parts are particularly vulnerable to catastrophic injuries in an attack.
Your hands
Before petting a dog, many trainers and animal behaviorists recommend placing your hand near a dog’s nose so the animal can smell you. While this advice is generally sound, it can also put your hands in imminent danger. In fact, you may not have time to pull away if a dog’s sniff turns into a bite.
Your ankles
Of course, you do not have to be trying to interact with a dog to be at risk. If you are standing or walking near a dog, the animal might bite at your ankles or calves. If the bite causes you to fall, the rest of your body also may be vulnerable to severe injuries.
Your face
When trying to kiss or cuddle with dogs, many American adults suffer bite wounds to their faces. Kids are particularly at risk, though, as they tend to sit and play on the floor or ground. Regrettably, a bite on the face can leave a person with unsightly scars and long-term emotional trauma.
Ultimately, regardless of the location of your wound, you may have grounds to pursue significant financial compensation for your injuries and other damages.