Philadelphia, PA, USA, 05/18/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

As the weather warms up, more and more people will be out and about. To some, this means travel plans, and to others, it means short weekend get-a-ways to escape the daily grind. To pet owners, the spring thaw means finding a pet sitter to stay with their four-legged companions while they travel.

Sadly, during the travel season, pet sitters are often the victims of bites of the very dogs they are caring for. In fact, dog bite claims accounted for over 1/3 of homeowners’ insurance claims last year. The cost to cover those claims exceeded $6 million.

Most often, owners hire pet sitters because they think their dogs are friendly. They have no history of biting. But, the stress of owners not coming home while they are on vacation can cause pets to act out of character. This is often what leads to pet sitters getting bit.

According to the Pennsylvania dog bite law, dog bites from dogs who have never bitten before fall into two categories. The first is a severe bite. In severe bite cases, lacerations and/or broken bones occur because of the bite.  

Attorney Joel Kofsky, a Philadelphia accident attorney, explains the difference between severe injuries and injuries that are not considered serious. “According to the law, if you are ‘severely’ injured, you are entitled to compensation for all of your expenses. If you are not severely injured, you are only entitled to compensation for medical expenses.”

It’s wise for anyone who wishes to dog sit to learn about dog language. There are subtle ways that dogs communicate their anxiety to people. When pet sitters are aware of these cues, it can keep them safe.

 

• Urinating in house

• Barking or howling

• Constant tongue flicks

• Excessive yawning

• Chewing

• Digging

• Pacing

• Salivating

Pet sitters who understand these signs of anxiety can quickly head off an accident or stress bite before it occurs.

 

Despite prevention strategies, dog bites still occur. If you are a pet sitter who has been bitten by a dog, it’s important to understand Pennsylvania’s dog bite laws. When you know the laws, you can better prepare yourself for what may follow any pet bite accident.  

 

The most important thing to remember about any dog bite is that you need to seek legal assistance immediately following the incident. By reaching out to an attorney, you will be forcing the owner to at the very least register the dog and exercise caution for the remainder of the dog’s life.

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