Mesa, Arizona is a great place for dog owners. There are dog-friendly hiking trails within a 20-mile radius like Shaw Butte, North Mountain, Lookout Mountain and many more.

However, according to CDCP (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) about four and a half million people are victims of dog bites annually and nearly 20% require medical attention. The two highest risk groups for a dog bite are children and adult males.

In order to protect you and your family from potential dog bite-related injuries, here’s a list of useful tips on how to prevent dog bites.

1. If you see a dog without its owner, don’t approach it.
2. If you don’t know the dog, don’t approach it. You never know how long has the dog been on the street and whether he is regularly vaccinated or not.
3. If you see an injured dog, instead of trying to help him yourself, call a professional that will assess the injuries and provide the help he/she needs.
4. Don’t approach dogs that are sleeping, eating or nursing. Remember, dogs can be very territorial and when spooked, they can charge.
5. Don’t run from a dog or chase a dog

In Mesa, AZ if a dog injures a human, it’s the dog’s owner who is responsible, no matter if he was aware of the aggressive nature of the dog or not. That is if the victim didn’t provoke the dog in any way.

How can you tell if the dog is aggressive?

Even though there are no foolproof ways to prevent a dog bite, there are telltale signs that you can learn to recognize and that will surely help you to determine whether a dog is aggressive or agitated. These are just a few signs and the most common ones:

• Baring teeth
• Growling
• Intense stare
• Snarling
• Ears positioned flat or straight up (depending on the breed)
• The scruff – bristling hair around the neck

Even though these are the most common signs that the dog is aggressive, some don’t show any signs before attacking. So it’s best to keep your distance if you come across a dog that you don’t know.

What to do after a dog bite?

After a dog bit, first and foremost you should see medical attention, even if the wounds seem superficial. Like we mentioned before, you might now the full vaccination history of the dog so it’s best to seek professional medical help to have the wound looked at and thoroughly cleaned.

Once you’ve been cleared from the emergency room or hospital, you should research and hire a personal injury lawyer. Even though there is a two-year statute of limitations on dog bit related injuries, most victims lose protection if they haven’t reported the attack within the first year.

Often, the dog owners claim that the victim provoked the dog somehow, which can further complicate the case. So that’s why it’s essential that you seek professional counsel.