Steps to Take Immediately After a Dog Bite Injury

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Steps to Take Immediately After a Dog Bite Injury

A dog bite injury can occur in the blink of an eye.

It’s fine. The next moment, the skin is ripped open. Panic ensues as the sight of blood makes the head spin. Now what?

The actions taken at that moment are crucial. These steps preserve health, protect legal rights, and shape the outcome. In those first moments, things can get muddled. There are important calls to make, evidence to collect, and decisions to take. Acting too quickly or without knowledge of the facts can also be detrimental.

Dog bite injuries are surprisingly common. As reported by the Insurance Information Institute, U.S. insurance companies paid out an incredible $1.57 billion in dog-related injury claims in 2024. That’s an increase of 18.9% from just one year prior.

The last thing needed after an attack is to increase problems. The following advice will provide a roadmap. Readers can take the right actions and protect their position.

What you’ll learn:

• Get Medical Attention First
• Document Everything at the Scene
• Report the Incident to Authorities
• Identify the Dog and Its Owner
• Avoid These Common Mistakes
• Know When to Contact a Dog Bite Injury Attorney

Get Medical Attention First

Nothing can be skipped in this regard.

Dog bites have an infection risk even when superficial. This is due to the bacteria found in dogs’ mouths and on their fur. Infection can lead to complications like cellulitis, sepsis, and even rabies. Medical treatment of dog bite injuries is non-negotiable.

The next order of business is then first aid at the scene. Proper wound care is essential in those first hours. Recommended action involves:

• Cleaning the area with soap and warm water for 5 minutes
• Stopping bleeding with pressure from a clean cloth
• Covering with a sterile bandage
• Getting to a doctor as quickly as possible

An injury assessment can come from any medical facility. Emergency rooms are equipped to handle dog bite treatment and more. A professional will provide immediate care. Antibiotics will be prescribed as will a tetanus shot. Surgical debridement may be recommended for puncture wounds and tears. This process stops the injury from worsening.

Dog bite victims are often tempted to dismiss minor injuries. The pain may be temporary and the bleeding eventually stops. But medical records are vital when seeking damages for a dog attack. A California dog bite lawyer will need them later to build a case.

Document Everything at the Scene

Time is also important when preserving evidence.

Why? If too much time passes, valuable information gets lost. Items may get misplaced, people leave, and police records become harder to obtain. Document as much of the scene as possible while at the scene. It can make or break a future case.

Capture pictures of:

• The wounds from every angle
• The exact location of the dog bite
• Where the dog attack occurred
• The dog itself, its breed, collar, tags, etc.
• Contact information of the dog’s owner
• Names and numbers of anyone who witnessed the attack
• Torn clothing or other property damage

Write a narrative of the attack while the details are fresh. Start with the time, date, and location. Note weather conditions and the environment. Record all the verbal exchanges between the victim and the owner. Write down the dog’s exact position and actions in the moments before the incident.

Reporting, documentation, and record-keeping are best when done quickly. Information may be missing, forgotten, or thrown out days after the fact. This evidence may later support or refute testimony. Do not rely on memory alone.

Report the Incident to Authorities

The easy response is to walk away from a dog bite.

Too many people fail to call the police or animal control after an attack. They never make a report to the authorities. This step needs to change. Reporting the dog bite is essential to preserving a legal claim later on.

Contact all of the following to make the report:

• Animal control or animal services
• Police, if the attack is severe
• County or municipal health department

Animal control will come out to investigate. Officers check the dog’s vaccinations, confinement, and history of aggression. Owners are required to pay for these services in many places.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are more than 4.5 million dog bite victims each year in the United States. Reporting incidents helps track dangerous dogs and enforce responsible pet ownership.

The county health department is called in instances of dog bites. Veterinarians verify the dog has up-to-date rabies vaccinations. Authorities can also take the dog into custody if it appears dangerous. In some cases, euthanasia of the animal is legal if it is a repeat offender.

Reporting is a must. Skip this step at your own peril.

Identify the Dog and Its Owner

Obtaining the dog owner’s information is critical.

Find out as much as possible about the dog and its owner. This evidence goes hand-in-hand with the documentation described earlier. Important information to obtain includes:

• Owner’s full name, address, and phone number
• Owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance carrier and policy #
• Dog’s vaccination records and rabies tags
• Any prior incidents of the dog biting someone

Look for witnesses in the absence of the owner. This can be neighbors or anyone who sees the dog. Capture photos of the animal, making note of any distinguishing characteristics.

If the dog’s identity is unknown or it’s a stray, animal control steps in again. They will attempt to capture the dog and test it for rabies.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Victims of dog bites make some predictable mistakes.

Each can cause additional harm or negatively impact the ability to recover damages. They are made in haste or out of ignorance. The following are dog bite aftermath actions to avoid:

• Never give recorded statements to insurance companies
• Avoid quick settlement offers from the owner or insurers
• Refrain from social media posts of any kind
• Delay action and expect help to come to you

Dog bite insurance companies are not on the victim’s side. They make a profit by settling for the least amount possible. A quick payout often covers a tiny percentage of incurred damages.

Accepting a fast payout removes leverage and damages bargaining power. It also precludes the opportunity for more compensation later. Don’t let a fast offer turn into legal extortion. Hold out for more or nothing.

Injuries may not become fully known for weeks or months. Pain, swelling, and discomfort can mask underlying damage. Nerve injuries, scarring, and psychological trauma often don’t reveal themselves for a while.

Know When to Contact a Dog Bite Injury Attorney

Not all dog bites warrant a dog bite lawyer.

Owners are legally responsible for injuries caused by their pets. These statutes provide the basis for civil liability for bites and attacks. But what happens if no claim is filed or the dog owner is uninsured?

A discussion with a dog bite attorney is in order. It is recommended when:

• The injuries are severe or require surgery
• There is permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Medical bills are mounting or disabling
• The dog owner’s insurance company is being difficult
• Lost wages, pain, or emotional trauma have occurred

Lawyers are trained to navigate the legal system and maximize awards. Most provide free consultations for bite cases. Victims of dog attacks need not hesitate to make that first call.

Wrapping It Up

Dog bite injuries should be treated as an emergency.

Medical and legal steps taken immediately after an attack preserve evidence and rights. Some of the actions victims can take include:

• Get medical attention as soon as possible
• Document everything with notes and photos
• Report the bite to animal control and police
• Collect dog owner information and insurance details
• Don’t make the mistakes described earlier
• Consult an attorney with severe or disabling injuries

Dog bite incidents demand quick and competent action. The steps taken in those first hours matter as much as first aid and treatment. A dog attack is nobody’s idea of a fun afternoon. Knowing what to do when it happens is half the battle.