Arizonans pay the most for dog bite injuries

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Four-year-old Lyric Liggins was visiting with friends at an apartment complex when a neighbor's dog bit him.

The bite was so bad, it went all the way to his bone.

$400 for an initial doctor visit and one night in the hospital later, Liggins is OK, but his family is still struggling to pay for the medical expenses - a story that is unfortunately all too common.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year.

One in five of those bite injuries require medical attention.

And Arizonans pay the most for those bites.

The victim or the dog owner can end up paying an average of $57,000 to treat any injuries.

That's about $20,000 more than the national average, according to a new State Farm report.

Most of that can be covered by insurance but some families have to pay out of pocket - which is what the Liggins family is struggling with now.

Vet experts said most dog bite victims are children.

Many times, those bites can be avoided.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has some tips to prevent bites, as well as how to safely approach a dog.

They include proper socialization of dogs, as well as educating children to avoid dogs they do not know.

Read more here: tucsonne.ws/20eLkuf

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