Dogs should be approached with care and caution

Unless you are familiar with the dog, you should be careful interacting with it. Dogs can injure almost any area of a person's body. In Pontiac, Michigan, part of a man's tongue was bitten off by a dog that he was attempting to befriend. The dog that lashed out and bit off the man's tongue was a pit-bull breed and belonged to a friend of the injured man. When this injury occurred, the man was sticking out his tongue in the dog's face when the dog suddenly reached forward and bit off his tongue.

The man bitten by the dog was taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, his tongue was not able to be recovered. It is speculated that the portion of the tongue that the dog bit off was swallowed by the animal.

The definition of a dog bite

When individuals are first meeting a dog, they should proceed with caution. Although many people consider dog bites to be only when the dog physically harms another person with their mouth, there are many instances that qualify as a dog bite according to the National Canine Research Council. Dog bites can include:- Nipping from a young puppy- Scratching the skin by the nail of a dog- Accidental bites or scrapes made by the tooth of a dog- Bites that occur when a dog is sick or injured- Bites by dogs receiving care from a veterinarian

In Michigan, dog owners are responsible for any bites made on public or private property. If a dog bites another person, the owner of the dog is accountable for any harm that the dog inflicts. This responsibility is not based on the prior history, behavior or actions of the dog that bit. However, if the individual that is bitten was not on the dog owner's property legally, the owner is not responsible for damages.

Actions to take after a bite

If you or your child is bitten by a dog, there are several steps that you should take. First, identify the dog and its owner and then seek necessary and proper medical care. Next, file a bite report with your county's sheriff or animal control department, regardless of how minor the injury was.

Soon after an injury occurs, contact an attorney that can help you navigate through the legal process associated with dog bites.

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