Many people consider large dogs dangerous, and their fears are not unfounded. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 4.5 million people are bitten by animals annually, with many victims being children. This makes parents wonder whether their children would be safe around them.
Its Depends on the Breed
The answer to these questions has more to do with the dog’s breed rather than its size. Many large dogs are very gentle with children, and some have also been referred to as “nanny dogs”. Such dogs show their love and protection of the children they are around openly, making them safer options.
Some breeds, however, are very aggressive, whether they are interacting with children or adults. Examples include German shepherds, rottweilers, and pit bulls. Parents should be careful if they know such breeds exist in their neighborhoods.
Their owners should lock them up or restrain them in other ways to ensure they are not dangerous to those they come into contact with. Failure to do this makes the owners liable in case of dog bites.
Height and Size
Breeds that are docile and friendly can be dangerous due to their size and height. Some stand at a height where they are in eye contact with small children. They could attack if they feel overly threatened or provoked, and their strength and weight would make it difficult for a child or toddler to stop them. It requires a parent’s attention to ensure such incidents do not occur.
Judging the Dog’s Temperament
Even though parents can make generalizations about how a dog will act depending on its breed, they must check its temperament before and after bringing it home. They should monitor it for a few days to see how it acts around children and other animals in the home.
If the dog is threatened easily by the presence of people or other animals in the home, it is more likely to attack, and children are often the unfortunate victims of such attacks.
Training and Familiarity Are Crucial
The CDC recommends that parents ensure dogs are trained properly before bringing them into a home with small children. While this will enhance the children’s safety, it is still vital that parents observe the dog and how it interacts with the children for the first few days. The dog is coming into a new home and environment and might not be familiar with its surroundings, making it more likely to lash out.
If you are bringing a new baby into the home, ensure the dog is familiar with them before relaxing your supervisory role. The dog might not be used to children, so let them sniff the baby and get used to them.
Most dogs, even larger breeds, will understand that this is a baby that needs protection, so it is common for them to take a protective role early on. However, not all dogs understand this, and might bite the child. Contact a personal injury attorney to file a lawsuit if this happens.
In most cases, it is not the dog’s size that parents should be worried about, but its temperament and personality. Some individual dogs are more aggressive and easily threatened regardless of breed, making them dangerous around children. However, many of them are gentle and protective.
If a dog bites your child, it may necessitate a visit to the hospital room, and you have the right to sue for damages if it belongs to someone else. Our attorneys at Binder Law Group can help you file a lawsuit and get the compensation you deserve.
You can visit our offices at 16633 Ventura Blvd. #602 Encino, CA 91436 to talk to us.
You can also call our team of personal injury attorneys for a free consultation at (818) 659-8588.