Texas ranks high in dog-bite claims

4 Tips to Avoid Dog Bite Claims

"There are a lot of pets out there, and insurance companies are aware of that," he said. So far this year, there have more than 520 reported dog bites in Houston, putting the city on track to match the 1,265 dog bites reported in 2012, according to BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions. Dog bites accounted for more than one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claim dollars paid out in 2011, costing nearly $479 million, according to the Insurance Information Institute . To be sure, some dog breeds are quicker to bite than others. Some of the major offenders are pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds, Huskies, Dobermans and wolf-dog hybrids. Having a dog can be a joy until that first bite, prompting a visit from an insurance agent, said Hanna, of the insurance council. "At that time they'll discuss a possible increase in policy, or rate," he said.
For the original version including any supplementary images http://theyarddogs.com/pet-bites-what-to-do-if-it-happens-to-you/ or video, visit http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Texas-ranks-high-in-dog-bite-claims-4625836.php

Texas ranks third in country for dog bite claims

Yelling can exacerbate a dogs agitation Your dog doesnt know youve ordered pizza, Berryman notes, so when the delivery person arrives, your dog is agitated by the threat at the door and starts barking. She explains that when you yell at your dog to stop barking, he interprets this as agitation on your part; he understands tone, not language. That only increases a dogs anxiety and vulnerability. When the door opens, the dog bites because it thinks you and he are both feeling threatened and youre both going to attack the threat. Berryman says its best to happily reassure your dog when someone arrives and leave the greeting of guests to you, and not the dog. How you treat strangers influences how your dog treats them Dogs respond to their owners behavior, which gives them signals about whether or not a situation is safe, says Berryman. When the dogs owner meets a stranger and interacts formally with that stranger, as many of us do, dogs can view this as the behavior of foes, or as apprehension, such as that of prey.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2013/06/25/4-tips-to-avoid-dog-bite-claims?ref=rss&t=education-training&page=3

Shannon Barlow, the assistant director of Amarillo Animal Control says it's normal for the Humane Society to see anywhere from 500 to 700 animal bites per year. "We are a growing city and we have a really dense population of animals, dogs and cats, what we call companion animals inside the city of Amarillo," Barlow said. In other areas, like Canyon, a strict ordinance has been put in place to control the amount of animal bites. Two years ago the city amended it's dangerous dog ordinance. If animal control deems the dog unsafe or dangerous, the owner has to register their dog, and pay certain fees if they want to keep it in town.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.newschannel10.com/story/22748228/texas-ranks-third-in-country-for-dog-bite-claims