Part I. Understanding the Causes of Dog Related Injuries
I. Dogs and Cats as Companion Animals
Dogs in society
II. Injuries Sustained to Victims Bitten by Dogs
Review of research literature on the epidemiology of dog bitesTypes of injuries caused by aggression
Types of injuries caused by Non-Aggression
III. Reasons Why Dogs Attack
Aggressive behavior in dogs
IV. Dogs at High Risk to Cause Personal Injury
Breed differences
Factors indicating a propensity for aggression
Problems in the home environment
V. Assessing the Risks
Utilizing a behavioral scoring system
Part II. How to Decrease the High Cost of Claims
I. Understanding the Law
Strict liability vs. negligence
Examples of lawsuits resulting from dog related injuries
Defenses under the law
II. What You Need to Do When Investigating a Claim
Who to contact and what to ask
Examining the scene of the incident and the animal's home environment
How to examine the dog
III What You Need to Know to Settle a Claim
The behavior of the victim and the severity of the injury
The breed of the dog, its background and behavior
What's a claim worth?
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