Exploring the Hidden Psychological Wounds of Dog Attacks on Kids

Our Hamilton Dog Bite Lawyers Explore the Psychological Implications of Dog Attacks on Young Minds.

For young children, dog bites can inflict lasting damage. Powerful jaws can crush fragile bones. Young bodies endure deep wounds and breaks. The pain often lasts through stitches, surgeries and rehab. But the worst hurts hide inside their heart and head.

Memories of the attack often don’t go away. They replay the attack again and again. Loud barks make their heart race. They may panic whenever a dog is near for the rest of their lives. Nightmares will keep them from sleeping. Their personality changes, too, from mood swings and uncontrollable negative thoughts. They don’t laugh or play the same anymore. The attack hurts and keeps hurting for many years after. It can alter their childhood and leave a permanent impact.

Dog attacks on children can result in devastating physical and psychological consequences. Beyond the immediate pain and trauma of the attack, children may suffer from disfigurement, requiring multiple surgeries to repair the damage, and even then, some physical scars may remain visible for a lifetime.

These visible reminders can significantly affect a child’s self-esteem and body image, often leading to social isolation and bullying. Furthermore, the psychological impact of a dog attack can be quite profound, with many children developing a debilitating fear of dogs, anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These mental health challenges can hinder a child’s ability to form relationships, focus in school, or engage in normal childhood activities, thereby impacting their overall quality of life and well-being.

Dog Bite Statistics

In Canada, dog bites are a significant concern, with an estimated 500,000 occurring annually. Children between the ages of 5 and 9 are the most common victims of these incidents. Adults typically sustain bites on their hands, while young children are more likely to be bitten on the face and neck.

Each year, approximately one to two fatalities result from dog attacks, with a notable 24 out of 28 fatalities between 1990 and 2007 being children under 12 years old. Interestingly, urban residents are twice as likely to experience dog bites as their rural counterparts. The prairie provinces, including Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, have recorded the highest incidents of fatal dog attacks. Public opinion leans towards owner responsibility, with 58% of Canadians attributing attacks to irresponsible owners rather than dangerous breeds.

The Enduring Psychological Devastation of Dog Bites on Children

Following a canine-inflicted trauma, children may undergo a spectrum of psychological responses, each varying in intensity and duration. This exposition delineates the potential psychological ramifications for a child who has sustained severe injuries consequent to a dog attack.

Immediate Traumatic Stress Response:

Immediately after the traumatic event, children are likely to exhibit acute stress reactions. These immediate responses encompass physiological alterations such as elevated heart rate and behavioural manifestations, including crying, trembling, or a transient state of immobilization (freeze response). These reactions typically subside within several hours to a few days.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in children following a dog attack is a serious concern that warrants careful attention and understanding from parents. This condition typically manifests as a prolonged stress response to the traumatic event, with children often reliving the attack through recurrent nightmares and intrusive thoughts.

These symptoms may be accompanied by heightened arousal, leading to difficulty concentrating, irritability, and an exaggerated startle response. The child could also exhibit avoidance behaviours and steer clear of places, people, or activities that remind them of the traumatic incident. This may include completely avoiding dogs or places where dogs are likely present.

Parents must acknowledge that PTSD is intricately linked to the child’s perception of the event and their sense of helplessness and horror experienced during the incident. The severity of PTSD symptoms can vary, with some kids who are quite resilient and others who require professional help to navigate the trauma.

Specific Phobia (Cynophobia):

A child may develop a pronounced, irrational fear of dogs, clinically referred to as cynophobia. This phobia precipitates intense anxiety upon exposure to dogs, compelling the child to evade environments where dogs are likely to be present.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder:

Following a severe dog attack, some kids may develop Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), a psychological condition characterized by pervasive and excessive anxiety that is not confined to specific situations or objects. In the context of a dog attack, children with GAD may experience heightened anxiety not only about dogs or similar animals but also about their general safety and well-being in various environments.

This chronic state of worry and tension may manifest even in situations unrelated to the initial traumatic event. Kids may become overly cautious, expecting disaster or harm to befall them at any moment, which can significantly impair their daily functioning, social relationships, and academic performance.

Parents need to recognize that GAD in kids after a dog attack is not merely an amplified fear of dogs but a broader anxiety disorder that affects the child’s overall perception of safety and security in the world around them. Kids may go on to develop physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.

Early intervention is vital, as GAD can impact the child’s development and quality of life if left unaddressed. Always remember that as parents, you should consider consulting with healthcare professionals, including psychologists or psychiatrists, if you can afford it or have an extended benefit plan to help fund ongoing therapy.

Depression:

Children may also succumb to depressive disorders, characterized by pervasive sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, and a general sense of hopelessness. These symptoms may be directly attributable to the trauma or may emerge as a reaction to the alterations in their lifestyle and self-perception following the injury.

Behavioural Modifications:

Post-trauma, children may exhibit a constellation of behavioural changes, including heightened aggression, social withdrawal, or regression to earlier developmental stages manifesting as bed-wetting or thumb-sucking.

Trust Impairment:

After a severe dog attack, some kids might struggle with trust issues, which can be a big deal and last a long time if not addressed. This happens because dogs are usually seen as friendly pets, so when a dog attacks, it shakes up a kid’s basic sense of trust, not just in dogs but also in people and the world in general. This broken trust can show up differently: kids might not want to get close to others, might always expect the worst from people, or feel unsafe often. If these trust issues aren’t tackled early, they can stick around as the kid grows up, affecting friendships, social life, and emotional health.

To help kids rebuild trust, parents and caregivers need to create a space where they feel safe talking about their fears and worries. Honest conversations about trust, showing kids that they can rely on you, and gently helping them have positive experiences that build trust can all make a big difference.

In some cases, talking to a psychologist or therapist can also be a constructive way for kids to work through trust issues. Without the proper support, these trust problems can follow kids into adulthood, making it hard for them to have strong, trusting relationships and feel confident in social situations.

Self-Esteem Issues:

It is not uncommon for kids to develop significant self-esteem and body image issues if the dog attack results in visible scars or disfigurement. The physical scars serve as perpetual reminders of the traumatic event, often leading to a negative self-perception and dissatisfaction with their appearance.

This altered self-view can cause feelings of alienation and worthlessness. Kids may sense a disconnection from their peers due to their altered physical state. A kid’s diminished self-esteem can penetrate various aspects of the child’s life, impacting academic performance, social interactions, and overall mental well-being. In some cases, the visible scars may render the child more susceptible to bullying or social exclusion, further undermining their sense of self-worth.

Body Image Issues

In tandem with self-esteem challenges, body image concerns may also surface. Body image is inherently linked to an individual’s perception of their physical self and the presumed perception by others. Children bearing the physical aftermath of a dog attack may develop a skewed body image, internalizing a belief that their value is predominantly tethered to their physical appearance.

This distorted self-image can foster a preoccupation with their scars or disfigurements, potentially leading to body dysmorphic disorder, a condition characterized by excessive rumination over perceived defects in appearance. The child may engage in persistent comparison with peers, exacerbating feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction, thereby necessitating timely and appropriate psychological intervention to mitigate the long-term impact on their mental health.

Intervention and Treatment:

Early psychological intervention is imperative to mitigate the severity and duration of these psychological effects. The manifestation of any symptoms above warrants professional consultation to devise appropriate therapeutic strategies and interventions. These may encompass cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, or pharmacological interventions, each tailored to the child’s unique psychological profile and the specific nature of their traumatic experience.

Teaching Kids About the Potential Danger of Dogs

As protective parents and dog owners, we are responsible for shielding our vulnerable children from the pain of dog bites to the best of our ability. Understanding prevention strategies is critical to fulfilling this duty,

The first line of defence lies in comprehensive education. Parents must teach kids appropriate behaviour around dogs to lower bite risk. Vital safety lessons include:

• Never approach an unfamiliar dog without asking its adult owner first
• If permitted to pet a dog, always touch gently – no hugging, squeezing or patting on the head
• Never bother a dog while it is eating, sleeping or tending to puppies
• Note subtle signs of fear, pain or aggression in a dog like growling, stiffening or baring teeth – then immediately back away slowly without running

However, formal instruction is never enough. Even well-educated kids cannot be left unsupervised with family pets or strange dogs. Adult vigilance is non-negotiable. Parents must provide constant visual oversight whenever children and dogs interact.

Allowing a child to wander through the neighbourhood alone or play unmonitored in the yard with their pet sets them up for potential heartbreak. While inconvenient, tethering and leashing dogs, installing secure outdoor fencing, using pet gates and assigning an adult “dog monitor” during play dates provide vital protection.

While judging or vilifying an entire breed is unethical, ignoring statistical reality also puts our kids at risk. Some specific dog breeds, bloodlines, and mixes, especially those bred for violent functions like fighting, show markedly higher rates of aggression. A pet that shows warning signs like baring teeth, stiffening, growling, or dominant behaviours warrants an immediate professional veterinary behaviour assessment.

If a family dog exhibits violent tendencies, a child’s safety must come before an owner’s attachment to that pet. As excruciating as it may be, re-homing to a child-free home or euthanization are sometimes the only responsible ways to preempt tragedy.

If your Child has Suffered Serious Injuries in a Dog Attack, call our Hamilton Dog Bite Lawyers Today

In the case of severe and egregious dog bit cases, legal action against negligent dog owners may aid healing while ensuring accountability to prevent future attacks. If your child was the victim of a dog attack, you must speak to a Hamilton dog bite lawyer with expertise in dog attack litigation so that you are fully informed about your rights and entitlement to damages.

While financial settlements cannot erase physical or psychological trauma, they provide resources for the massive costs involved in the child’s recovery. Legal action also motivates owners to prevent future attacks by taking responsibility for securing and training high-risk dogs.

Since 2003, Matt Lalande has represented hundreds of kids and their families whose lives have been devastated by dog attacks in Hamilton – and all over Ontario. Consultations with our Hamilton dog attack lawyers are 100% free – and if you decide to work with our Hamilton dog bite lawyers, the fee is free.

We do not charge our clients anything unless we win their case. We are happy to provide you with the legal advice you need to make an informed decision about your own particular situation. Call us no matter where you are in Ontario at 1-844-LALANDE or local in the Southern Ontario region at 905-333-8888. Alternatively, you can send us a confidential email through our website – and we would be happy to explain your long-term disability rights and legal options to you at no cost.

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