Maryland Dog Bite Claims Increase During The Months Of August And September

As dog bites often increase during the summer months, the Norman S. Thomas Insurance Agency, Inc., shares important information and safety tips to help prevent dog bites.

Beltsville, United States - August 13, 2019 /PressCable/ —

Beltsville, MD – In 2018, August and September were the leading months for dog bite claims in the State of Maryland. With an estimated 89.7 million dogs living in U.S. households, dog bites are bound to happen. “Most dogs will never bite, but it is important to remember that any dog can bite regardless of breed or type,” according to Beltsville, MD State Farm Agent Norman S. Thomas who also advises,. “In 2018, State Farm paid $123 million as a result of 3,280 dog bite and injury claims. Over the past 10 years, State Farm has paid more than $1.1 billion for dog bite claims.”

Maryland was one of the Top 25 states in 2018 in number of State Farm dog bite claims, with an average pay out of $20,880 per claim. The top three states for 2018 dog bite claims were California, Illinois and Ohio, respectively.

Children make up more than 50% of all dog bite victims and the highest risk group in children are ages 5-9 years old. The elderly and home service people, like mail carriers, are also high on the list of frequent dog bite victims. Being bitten or attacked by a dog can leave physical and emotional scars. For the dog, it can be a death sentence.

“State Farm is one of the few insurance companies in the country that does not have a breed restriction list and does not exclude homeowner or renter insurance coverage because of the breed of dog owned,” explains Thomas who went on to say, “State Farm also recognizes that, under the right circumstances, any dog might bite. That is why we encourage people to be responsible pet owners and educate the public, especially children, on how to safely approach a dog.”

Thomas who is President & CEO of Norman S. Thomas Insurance Agency, Inc., has been an Authorized State Farm Agent located in Beltsville, MD since 1987, offers the following tips to help prevent dog bites:

1) NEVER leave a baby or small child alone with a dog, even if it is a family pet. Children are often bitten by dogs in their own household.

2) Make sure your pet is socialized so he/she feels at ease around people and other animals.

3) Walk and exercise your dog on a leash to keep him/her healthy and provide mental stimulation.

4) Regular veterinary visits are essential to regulating the health of your dog. A sick or injured dog is more likely to bite.

5) Be alert. If someone approaches you and your dog, caution them to wait before petting the dog. Give your pet time to be comfortable with the stranger.

6) Understand and respond to changes in your dog’s body language. Look at the eyes, ears, tail, and posture to know when your dog may be happy, fearful, or angry.

7) Spay or neuter. This procedure can help reduce your dog’s aggressive behaviors.

Homeowners should talk to their insurance agent about coverage under a standard homeowner policy. Pet owners should also consider a Personal Liability Umbrella Policy (PLUP) to provide extra coverage in case their dog does bite someone. Renters should consider getting renters insurance because most landlords do not provide coverage should there be a dog bite incident at the renter’s location.

For even more insights, tips and precautions to help prevent dogs from biting, Click Here.

Contact Info:
Name: Norman S. Thomas
Email: Send Email
Organization: Norman S. Thomas Insurance Agency, Inc.
Address: 10601 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 300, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States
Phone: +1-301-595-4347
Website: http://www.NormanSThomas.com

Source: PressCable

Release ID: 88907186