Dog bites can happen so fast. All it takes is a negligent owner, or the wrong circumstances to make a dog get aggressive. Sometimes it is truly an accident, but sometimes it is the fault of a dog that should not be out walking the streets of your neighborhood.
Let’s take a look at the steps you should follow if you find yourself with a dog bite injury.Identify The Animal
The first thing to do is identify the animal that bit you. Was it a stray dog? Or was it a neighbor’s pet? In the moment it might be hard, but if you can snap a photo, it will help you later with the identification. If the animal does not have any color or tags on it, you may have to consider that it is a stray animal, which means you should take extra medical precautions. If it does have tags and a collar, you can try to read the information and write it down. After you remove yourself from the dangerous situation, you can use the information to find out if the animal has had the proper shots and veterinary care.
Witnesses
Were there any witnesses to the incident? Was anyone else walking by? Make sure to get their name and contact information as well. If a dog bite leads to court, you will want to have someone else who saw that happened. Enter it in your phone, or write it down on a piece of paper and then put it somewhere safe. If you haven’t identified the animal, ask your witness if they know who the dog belongs to, or if they saw someone walking the dog. They may have seen something that you didn’t while you were being attacked.
Document Your Wound
Before you go anywhere, take a picture of the bite. Make sure that if it is on both sides of your leg, you take a photo of both sides of the wound. It may be bloody and gross looking, but the evidence may need to be presented later in the case. A wound that breaks the skin will require medical attention. The medical team may want to see the wound, and you will want to have pictures of the wound before you have it treated.
Make A Claim
Find out who handles animal bites in your area. Chances are, it is your local animal control officer. If you cannot find contact information, your town hall or local police department should be able to provide you with a phone number. Call and ask to file an animal bite claim. They will have paperwork to fill out with all of the information that you have already documented. It will stay on file in case anything comes of the bite, or in case the animal attacks anyone else. An animal that attacks multiple times should be considered dangerous and action will need to be taken. You can find out if you are the first, or if the animal has bitten anyone else.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek out proper medical attention for your wound. Be sure to keep any written paperwork you are given, and follow all treatment instructions. This is important for later action. Any medical bills that you have to pay can be paid by the owner’s insurance at a later date, so be sure to keep records. Your doctor will discuss the treatment options with you, and if rabies shots are necessary.
If you are bitten by a dog, legal action may be needed. Sometimes even the smallest bites can become infected, leading to large medical bills. Don’t suffer in silence. The other people in your neighborhood and the rest if your family could suffer with a dangerous dog out and about on the loose. Contact our office today to get help with your case. We’ll be happy to walk you through all the steps to helping you receive compensation for your injury.
