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State Farm Insurance, one of the nation's largest home insurers, paid more than $109 million on about 3,800 dog bite claims nationwide last year, spokesman Eddie Martinez said Wednesday. In 2010, there were about 3,500 claims and $90 million in payouts. The Insurance Information Institute estimated that nearly $479 million in dog bite claims were paid by all insurance companies in 2011, spokeswoman Loretta Worters said. In 2010, it was $413 million. It's no surprise that California — home to more dogs and people than any other state — led the way in 2011. Martinez says 527 claims were filed in California and victims received $20.3 million, a jump of 31 percent over 2010. State Farm is still working to determine reasons for the spike, Martinez said. About 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year and more than half of the victims are children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. About 800,000 people seek medical attention for the bites. Less than half … [Read more...]

Attendees learn bite prevention, driving safety and more. When he woke up on Friday, June 29, Entergy contractor Lee Wheelis of West Monroe didn't think he'd get attacked by a dog that day. But that's exactly what happened to him at Entergy's first meter reading operations contractor safety summit, held at the KAST Center in Clinton, Miss. Mitzi Robinson, founder and president of Bulli Ray Enterprises, was on hand that day to train attendees on dog bite prevention. And for part of her session, she needed a very special volunteer. Wheelis became part of the program when he offered to suit up in protective gear and help demonstrate what happens when a dog attacks. "When I started reading meters 15 years ago, we were expected to read the meter whether there was a bad dog sitting by it or not," said Wheelis, who works with Contract Callers, Inc. "Now, we tell employees and contractors to avoid mean dogs. Not only that, we train our employees to deal with aggressive dogs. I just … [Read more...]

American Society of Safety Engineers News Protecting people, property and the environment For Immediate Release Contact: Lindsay Stuart, 847-768-3404 847-768-3404, lstuart@asse.org DES PLAINES, IL (July 1, 2010) – Not only did the American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) annual Professional Development Conference (PDC) held in Baltimore, MD, June 13-16 provide more than 200 educational sessions, but also featured a live occupational dog bite safety demonstration. This session was designed to help employees avoid being bitten while on the job. With an interactive dog bite demonstration that required volunteers from the audience, ASSE member, Owner and President of Bulli Ray Occupational Dog Bite Safety Mitzi Robinson provided session attendees with valuable information and a great show. Robinson and her husband, Bulli Ray Vice President Anthony Robinson, started Bulli Ray Occupational Dog Bite Safety in 1993, after observing significant cultural changes in California. At a … [Read more...]

Since the day of the awful attack on a postman by dangerous Rottweilers in Gazeley Lane, Trumpington, Cambridge in December 2008 the police have been hung up on the issue of whether the attack occurred on a public road or not. At first the police said they were investigating if the attack was on a private road they are now saying they can’t bring a prosecution against the owner due to the fact the attack was on private land. It is important that this case goes before the court not only to ensure justice is administered, but also so that the injured postman has the opportunity, if the court determines it appropriate, to receive compensation. I am joining those calling for the police to reconsider their decision not to prosecute. I think there has been a misinterpretation of the law by the police, and prosecutors ought put the case before the courts and if there is a grey area they not the police or prosecutors should decide on it. Section 3 (1) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 … [Read more...]