Guest Suffers Severe Personal Injury from Animal Attack
When you pay to rent an Airbnb property, do you need to be worried about a dog bite injury? According to a recent article in the New York Times, a 58-year-old US citizen was bitten by a property owner’s Rottweiler at the Airbnb site he rented in Salta, Argentina. He sustained a “six-square-inch
gash and a handful of puncture wounds” after the dog bite.
What is Airbnb? Airbnb allows guests to stay in residential neighborhoods to avoid the high costs often associated with hotel rentals. Airbnb is a global service, with hosts renting properties throughout the world. In properties within the U.S., Airbnb provides liability insurance that is intended to provide coverage in situations like the recent animal attack.
However, what happens, when a person rents a property in another part of the world? After the animal attack, the victim contacted Airbnb, but the service “declined to cover his two-night hospital stay, or do much of anything else besides refund the money for his aborted stay.”Before renting any property whether in the US or outside the US, always make sure that there is adequate insurance to protect you and your family.
Dog Bite Prevention and Animal Attack Awareness
What can you do to prevent a serious dog bite injury? According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), it is important to know some key facts and figures about canine attacks. The AVMA points out the following information:
- More than 4.5 million Americans sustain dog bite injuries every year.
- Of the millions of people bitten by dogs, about 20 percent will need medical attention.
- Children are at much greater risk than adults of being attacked by a dog, and most child dog bite incidents occur “during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs.”
- Approximately 800,000 people in the U.S. seek medical treatment for dog bite injuries every year, and about 400,000 of those people are children.
The ASPCA provides specific dog bite prevention tips, including but not limited to the following:
- Do not approach, touch, or play with a dog that is eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies.
- Never approach a dog that is barking, growling, or otherwise appears to be scared.
- Do not let your child approach or play with an unfamiliar dog.
- Never pet dogs that are behind a fence or inside a car.
- If a loose dog approaches you or your child, you should remain calm and avoid making eye contact with the dog.
- Never try to outrun a dog. It is best to remain very still until a dog loses interest, allowing you to back away safely.
If you have suffered injuries in a canine attack, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. You should discuss your case with a dog bite lawyer as soon as possible.
