If you have been attacked by a dog, you may be confused about what you should do. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to both protect yourself and maximize your chances of success in any future legal proceeding. Here are seven steps you should take after a dog bite:
- Call 911
- Your first step should always be to call 911 and make sure to speak to the police. They can help get information, collect witness statements, and make sure there is a police report that can act as a record of the incident.
- Get info from the dog’s owner
- If you can, you should try to get any relevant information from the dog’s owner. This includes contact information for the owner themselves (name, address, phone number, email, etc.) as well as information about the dog (including whether they are up to date on vaccinations, including the rabies vaccination). Snap a picture of the dog’s tags, if you can.
- Get medical help
- Even if you think you have not been seriously injured, you should make sure to speak to a doctor as soon as possible. Not only can they evaluate you for potential injuries and get them treated, they can also provide medical evidence to prove the nature and extent of the harm you have suffered.
- Call the Department of Health
- You will also want to speak to your local Department of Health. Every county has one, and they can help take note if the dog has any prior history of bites, or assist if there are signs the dog has rabies or other diseases.
- Call Animal Control
- Contacting Animal Control is essential, as it can help let them know that there is a dog that is potentially prone to biting. This can allow them to intervene if a dog is out of control, or is showing signs of neglect or abuse.
- Get medical records
- After you have been treated for your injuries, you should speak to your doctor and get copies of your medical records. These can be critical for proving your case if you choose to pursue legal action for the dog bite.
- Hire a lawyer
- The law around dog bites can be surprisingly complicated. That is why you should speak to a lawyer who is experienced in the dog bite laws, like THE NEW YORK DOG BITE LAWYERSM, who can advise you on your legal rights and help you negotiate with the dog’s owner.
