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Children and Dog Bite Injuries (Part A)

Unfortunately, children are the most frequent victims when it comes to dog bites. Sometimes, it is their size and level of trust that opens them up to the risk of being bitten by a dog. If your child has suffered injuries as a result of an Illinois dog bite, you should contact a Chicago dog bite lawyer.

Statistics on Children and Dog Bites

Chicago dog bite injuries are no rarity, and in fact, these types of animal attacks may occur more common than you would think. Listed below are national statistics on children and dog bites of which you should be aware:

• Odds of a dog bite victim being a child are 3.2 to 1;
• Boys between the ages of 5 to 9 years old have the highest incident rate of being bitten;
• In comparison to older victims, children were more likely to be bit on the neck, face and head;
• In children ages 10 years and younger, 77% of the injuries were facial;
• The most severe injuries occur in children who are ages 10 years and younger;
• 61% of dog attacks occur in a place of familiarity, including the victim's own home;
• 77% of the dogs that bite belong to the child's family or friend;
• In children who are ages 4 years and younger, 47% of the time the dog who attacks is a family dog; and
• In children who are ages 4 years and younger, 90% of dog attacks take place in their own home.

Children's Injuries from Dog Bites

The face is at the greatest risk of being injured when a child is attacked. Every year in the United States there are approximately 44,000 visits to the emergency room because of a dog bite or attack that results in facial injuries.

Why is the face most at risk in a Chicago dog bite attack on a child? Sometimes, this is because children will stick their face in a dog's face, not understanding the vulnerability of their actions and how this makes them a target to a dog's bite. Or children happen to be facing a dog when the attack occurs. Most of the facial injuries occur to the lips, nose and cheeks.

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