April is Dog Bite Awareness Month
Howard Ankin
"It's important to
protect yourself and
anyone who comes
in contact with your
pet. Homeowners,
or rental insurance,
should always include
liability coverage
for dog attacks."

- Attorney Howard Ankin
Spring has finally arrived. More and more people are taking advantage of the warmer weather, walking, running, or dog-walking in Chicago.

If you're a dog owner and out for a walk, your pet
is likely to come in contact with a new friend. That may be great if neither dog is aggressive, but according to the American Veterinarian Medical Association, it's a good idea to gradually implement doggy play dates and unfamiliar human interactions. Read more here.

4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in
the US and Illinois is one of 10 states with the highest number of bites.*

Dogs are great companions, but It's also important to protect yourself and anyone who comes in contact with your dog, because any dog can bite.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Whether you rent or own your home, make sure
you have liability coverage that includes a
provision for dog attacks. Coverage is typically
included in home-owners policies, but may
need to be added to a renter's policy.

• If you are attacked by a dog, seek medical care
immediately. Let others track down the dog or contact the owner.

• Identify the owners or where the dog came from
so that attorneys and animal control can follow
up with the owner and the dog to make sure it
is not biting other people and to check for rabies.

• Call Ankin Law. Dog attack cases can be
complicated. We're here to help.

At the end of the month Ankin Law and the Wicker Park Advisory Council are proud to sponsor Laws & Paws, Saturday, April 30th in Wicker Park.
Join us, and bring your dog (on a leash).

*American Veterinary Medical Association
Matt Friedman reviews Illinois Liability Law
The number of dogs in Illinois has spiked over the last two years. An increase in adoptions occurred during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 and carried into 2021.

In this video, Attorney Matt Friedman talks about dog bite liability in Illinois and Indiana and how pet owners can legally protect themselves and anyone who comes in contact with their dogs.

There are nearly 85 million nice dogs
in the US and any one of them can bite

With an estimated population of nearly 85 million dogs living in U.S. households, millions of people -most of them children - are bitten by dogs every year. The majority of these bites, if not all, are preventable.

• The Insurance Information Institute reported
that in 2020, insurance companies paid $853.7
million for 16,991 dog bite and injury claims.

• While the number of dog-related injury claims
decreased 4.6% compared to the previous year,
the amount paid for these claims increased 7.1%
a record high. The average claim payment was
$50,245 in 2020, up 12.3% from $44,760 in
2019.

• According to State Farm’s claim information,
there were more dog-related injury claims in
March 2020 than in any other month that year,
with a reported 21.6 percent increase in dog
bites compared to March of the previous year.

The increase seen in March 2020 was likely due to the disruption in routines at the start of pandemic lockdowns, when dogs were dealing with owner stress and more people around the house throughout the day. Experts fear another disruption— this time caused by the easing of restrictions for activities outside the home—could lead to another spike in bites.



*Data provided by the American Veterinary
Medical Association
Laws & Paws is coming to Wicker Park
Ankin Law and the Wicker Park Advisory Council are bringing Laws & Paws to Wicker Park. Join us Saturday, April 30th, rain or shine, for free donuts, coffee and dog treats. Learn about dog training, dog safety, and how to protect yourself and others from a dog bite. Attorney Howard Ankin, along with representatives from the Anti-Cruelty Society, and One Tail at a Time will be on hand to speak and provide more information.
Investigating
Popeyes
Ankin Law is investigating a cause
of action against Popeyes Fried Chicken for charging undisclosed fees in their online ordering app. If your minor child used the Popeyes app to order food I would like to speak with you - Howard
Call 312.600.0000