Ash Watkins Shares Tips for National Dog Month on KSNV News 3 Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (KSNV) — August is National Dog Month, but if you have a dog, it’s always dog month!

Attorney Ash Watkins, Partner at Sam & Ash Injury Law, joined Latoya Silmon on KSNV News 3 Las Vegas with Canine Executive Officer Rocky to share some tips for National Dog Month.

Everyone has a responsibility around dogs, whether that’s keeping your dog safe or yourself safe from dogs around you. Because as cute and lovable as our fur babies may be, sometimes they can bite, and it’s important to know your rights and what to do if you find yourself in a difficult circumstance after a dog bite.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Do you know your rights if you’re bitten by someone else’s dog?
• What are you liable for if YOUR dog bites someone else?
• Should you call animal control?
• What if you have significant injuries and require medical treatment?

Understandably, you may not want to make a big deal out of a dog bite. Maybe the dog belongs to a friend or neighbor? Maybe you’re concerned about the welfare of the dog. We understand the hesitations, but dog bites can become serious, and you must be prepared.

Ash’s Legal Tips

For starters, always be careful when approaching a dog; you never know how friendly they are.  

As a dog owner, you have a responsibility to make sure that it doesn’t cause harm to anyone else. To ensure that you and your dog are protected, Ash recommends reviewing your homeowners or renter’s policy (insurance) to make sure it will help cover you if your dog does

bite someone. Most insurance companies won’t discuss it with you and exclude various breeds. So, it’s critical to ensure your policy covers your dog and saves you from that difficult situation. 

Dog Bite Statistics

• More than 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs annually, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association
• In 2020, the Southern Nevada Health District reported 341 animal bites (that’s almost one dog bite every day of the year)
• Almost 20% of dog bites become infected and could result in Rabies (rare but can be fatal), Pasteurella (bacteria that causes swelling), Tetanus (a toxin that can cause paralysis), MRSA (can cause skin, lung, and urinary tract infections)
• The most common dog bite injuries are arms and hands (45.3% per CDC)
• More than 5,300 postal workers were attacked by dogs in 2022 (protecting their property), according to the U.S. Postal Service
• Children ages 5-9 are most likely to be attacked by a dog. Dog attacks were the 7th leading cause of ER visits from kids 5-9 in 2020

What To Do if You’re Attacked by a Dog in Las Vegas

If you do get bitten by a dog, there are some things you need to know and do afterward. 

One critical thing is to get yourself to safety. Make sure you’re out of harm’s way. Try to find out who the owner is because you want to know if they’ve been vaccinated and have their rabies vaccine up to date, then go get treatment yourself. 

It does not matter where the bite occurs. The critical questions are whether there was any form of negligence — whether you or someone else let the dog off leash in public, violated any local laws, or should have had the dog muzzled.

Make sure that you have documentation — photographs of the bite, the dog, the scene. Keep your receipts for medical bills and a record of everything during and after the bite.

Lastly, hire a lawyer to get advice and manage the difficult process. Our experienced dog bite accident attorneys at Sam & Ash Injury Law are available 24/7 and ready to help.

Dog Bite FAQs

Q: Should I Call Animal Control After a Dog Bite?

A: Yes. It will alert them to the problem, and if the dog has a history of biting, it can help them take action. It can also help your case.

Q: What if the Dog Bite Is the Result of the Owner’s Negligence?

A: Negligence is when unreasonable conduct results in injuries. The dog owner is responsible for keeping you reasonably safe from harm, but the owner failed to do so. The dog owner’s conduct enabled the dog to bite. You suffered actual harm from the bite.

Q: What Kind of Compensation Might Someone Be Owed if They Are Bitten by a Dog?

A: Depending on the severity of the bite, and if the dog has a history of biting, you could be owed compensation for current medical bills, medicine, and treatment in the future, missed paychecks and lost work, loss of future earning potential, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, post-traumatic stress.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Nevada?

A: You typically have two years from the date you’re injured.

https://news3lv.com/news/videos/attorney-ash-watkins-shares-tips-for-national-dog-month

About Sam & Ash Injury Law
Founded in 2019, Sam & Ash is a personal injury law firm committed to helping accident victims throughout Nevada and California. Sam Mirejovsky and Ashley Watkins bring decades of experience and a compassionate, client-focused approach to ensure every client is fairly compensated for their injuries. More than just counsel, they serve as partners that are by your side every step of the way. They are the personal injury attorneys who do What’s Right.

For more info, visit samandashlaw.com. Follow on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) @samandashlaw.

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