What Am I Supposed to Do After Being Attacked By A Dog?

We are often contacted by potential clients who have been the victims of a dog bite. The majority of the time, their main question boils down to: “What am I supposed to do now?” Here are a few early steps that can be taken to help build your case.

• Call the authorities and have an incident report taken;
• If there are any witnesses, be sure to get their contact information. Their eye-witness account will be helpful as your case moves forward;
• If possible, try to find out whether the animal has bitten anyone before or is known to be aggressive by neighbors or passersby;
• Inquire as to whether the dog owner has homeowner’s insurance. Many policies provide coverage for animal bite incidents;
• Follow up with the officer that took the incident report to see if any action is being taken against the animal or the animal’s owner;
• Usually, some sort of hearing will be held to determine whether the animal is up to date on shots and whether or not that animal has a history of aggression or bites;
• Seek medical treatment as soon as possible and treat for as long as necessary.

As with any injury, the most important thing is your health. Despite the common saying that “a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s,” there is a risk of infection. Monitor the wound for the telltale signs of infection. If you or someone you know has been a victim of an animal bite, we are happy to answer any questions you may have.