Wisconsin dog bites are quite common. In fact, every year in the United States, dogs bite over 4.5 million people. One in five of these dog bites will require the victim to receive medical attention. These statistics are quite alarming. Dog owners, and those around dogs, need to be aware of these statistics and take preventative actions in order to lower the risk of a dog bite injury in Milwaukee.

All dogs are capable of biting, whatever their breed may be. The important thing is to know the signs of when a dog might bite. Before a dog bites there are certain actions and behaviors that are displayed by the dog. Some of the signs that a dog may bite are:

  • Growling or snapping. One of the most obvious signs that a dog may be ready to bite is for the dog to growl or snap. Dogs growl or snap to let you know that they are unhappy or uncomfortable.
  • Wagging tail. Many believe that a dog only wags his tail when he is happy. This is not true. A dog that is happy generally wags its tail with the whole body involved, whereas a dog who is about to bite is usually fairly rigid, and his tail will be pointed high and moving more quickly back and forth.
  • Raised fur. When a dog is in a scared or aggressive state, the fur on the back of the neck to the tail will stand up. Some dogs’ hair will only stand up on the back of the neck and shoulders, while others’ goes all the way to the tail.
  • Stiff body. A happy, comfortable dog will have a relaxed posture with his ears low and wagging his tail with his whole body involved. The opposite is true for a dog that is unhappy and aggressive. His whole body may be stiff, and his ears and tail raised high.


Dogs are great pets and friends, often becoming another family member. Because of this, many people forget that they are animals and capable of biting. Be aware of your dog, as well as other dogs, in order to prevent being injured by a dog bite in Wisconsin.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation. For a free case evaluation, contact an experienced Milwaukee dog bite attorney at Hupy and Abraham. They will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call 800-800-5678 today to find out your legal options.