How To Protect Yourself: 5 Careers That Carry the Greatest Risk of Being Bitten by a Dog
Dog attacks are more common for a variety of workers throughout the country. Many occupations place workers at risk of dog bites and attacks, but these five careers could increase the risks significantly. Some of the workers don't manage dogs on a daily basis, but this doesn't mean they won't encounter a dog during the course of a shift.
According to dog attack laws, the victim must prove they have the legal right to be at or on the property to perform their job duties. The same laws indicate that the victim cannot be guilty of provoking the dog or committing animal abuse. When investigating the dog bite or attack, the attorney must prove the claimant didn't play a role in causing their injuries or the attack.
1. Postal Carriers
Although it may sound like a cliche, postal carriers and delivery truck drivers are at a greater risk than other workers of a dog attack. Postal carriers and delivery drivers must get out of their vehicles to place packages at the property owner's front door. If the owner has a dog outside, there is a greater risk that the dog won't be as friendly to the postal worker or delivery driver.
The state requires dogs to be on a leash or enclosed space when outside, and property owners must adhere to these ordinances. If their dog attacks a postal worker or delivery driver, the property owner is at fault and must cover their medical expenses. Victims who were bit by a dog get started by contacting a lawyer for more information now.
2. Veterinary Technician
Veterinary technicians are at a greater risk of dog bites because they must handle a variety of dog species each day. Whenever they are helping patients, the technicians will have to pick up dogs and place them on the examination table. If the dogs are aggressive and attack, the pet owner may be at fault if the technician sustains a serious injury. Pet owners are recommended obedience training for all dogs and inform the technicians or the vet of any aggressive behavior patterns by the animals.
Vets check the dogs records when providing treatment and must vaccinate the dogs if they haven't been vaccinated previously for rabies. Any dog that shows signs of rabies must be euthanized as they present a risk to humans and other animals at the vet's office.
3. Utility Meter Readers
According to dog attack laws, the victim must have a just cause to be on the property. When it comes to utility meter readers, they must enter the exterior of the property and get close to the utility meters to get the current readings. This could include opening a cover to see the meter if they work for the water company. If there is a dog on the property, the meter readers cannot tell the property owner if their dog is aggressive.
In most situations, the property owner isn't at home when the readers go to their property. If their dog is running around loose, this could increase the risk of a dog bite. The property owner would be at fault if their dog attacked the meter readers, and the meter reader didn't provoke the dog.
In most circumstances, the readers will look to see if there is a dog at the property, and they will park close enough to meters that they are a safer distance from the dog. If the dog sneaks up on them, the outcome could be unpredictable.
4. Law Enforcement Officers
Law enforcement officers are more likely to get attacked by a dog especially if they force their way into the property to apprehend a perpetrator, and the perpetrator has a dog in or around the property. The unexpected circumstances increase the risk of serious injuries since dogs are territorial and will react to the officers and try to defend their owners.
If the officers knock on the door, they will inform the property owner to move the dog to a secured area. If the dog attacks the officers, the officers may be forced to shoot the dog. Under the circumstances, the pet owner is liable for any injuries sustained by the officers.
5. Home Repair Service Providers
When scheduling home repair services, property owners must move their dogs to a secured area away from the service providers. This could mitigate the risk of a dog attack. Some contractors complete projects without the homeowner present. This could lead to accidents and injuries if their dog is aggressive.
Many property owners must remove their dogs from the home if they have an aggressive nature, and this could prevent the dog from attacking the service providers. Dog boarding could present a better solution than leaving the dog at home with the service provider. Larger dogs could present a serious risk for the service provider, and they cannot move the dogs to one space to another as easily as the pet owner.
If a home repair service provider becomes injured, the property owner must file a claim with their homeowner's insurance provider to cover the victim's medical costs. If the property owner doesn't try to cover these expenses, the victim has the legal right to file a lawsuit or legal claim against the property owner. This could lead to a serious financial loss, and if their dog is deemed dangerous, the pet owner won't get to keep the animal.
Dog attack laws define the liabilities of pet owners and what circumstances make the pet owners liable. When it comes to individuals who must enter the property to perform their job duties, the victims don't have to prove that they had the legal right to enter the interior or exterior of the property.
Service providers and public servants have the right to enter the property under certain circumstances pertaining to their jobs. Meter readers, cops, postal carriers, and home repair service providers must have access to the property to fulfill their duties. If they are injured at the property because of the owner's dog, the pet owner is liable.
