People often take for granted the safety of petting a stranger’s dog. The fact of the matter is that while some dogs welcome being stroked from a new person, others may need a moment or two to be acquainted before fawning may commence. To ensure your safety be sure to follow these steps so as to avoid any awkward K9-human interactions.
Don’t Base Friendliness on the Type of Breed
It’s tough to imagine a Golden Retriever ever chomping down on anything other than a frisbee or tennis ball, yet sometimes even the unimaginable happens. Golden Retrievers are widely considered the all-American dog. However, simply because they’ve adopted the archetype of the amiable human-loving dog doesn’t make it so for all pooches of this breed.
Dogs have intricate histories that usually consist of being cared for by multiple owners. Understand that it’s how a dog has been treated, not what breed they are that bestows them with their character.
Observe From Afar
If the dog’s owner is clearly not letting people go near the pooch, it’s safe to say that the dog isn’t ready to be touched by strangers. On the flip side, if the dog is being mobbed by adoring fans he or she is probably up for a quick belly rub.
Ask the Owner
You wouldn’t start playing with another person’s possessions without asking, would you? In our society, we’ve deemed it more or less socially acceptable to pet another’s dog without asking. However, such a habit can create awkward if not unfortunate situations. Simply asking the owner of one of the many dogs from the Owensboro-Evansville area if you can pet it will create less unfortunate situations.
When In Doubt Call a Dog Bite Attorney
If the aforementioned steps are followed, and you’re still bitten by a dog, you may have legal grounds to receive compensation for your injury. Recovering from a dog bite can be a painful and embarrassing situation. Seek financial compensation through litigation in order to make a smooth recovery.
Gayle Gerling Pettinga
Born and raised in Evansville, Gayle is a respected, experienced lawyer and a valued community leader. She graduated near the top of her class at Indiana University’s prestigious Maurer School of Law. She’s practiced law with one of the largest firms in Indianapolis as well as one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. And that means she knows how big law firms and big companies think and how they operate – and she will put that knowledge to work for you.
Gayle has received numerous awards and honors including Martindale-Hubbell — Peer Review Rated: AV®, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Attorneys in Indiana for Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service, and YWCA Evansville 100 Years, 100 Women Honoree, 2011.
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