Being bitten unexpectedly by a strange dog can often be traumatizing for victims. Hopefully you never have to experience this, but if you do, you should do the following:
- First, identify the dog and its owner and find out where they live. If the dog is a stray without a collar, you may have to get a series of rabies shots.
- Regardless of how severe the bite is, you should seek medical attention. If the injury is very serious, call 911 for first responders; if it is less so, have a friend or family member drive you to a hospital. There is a high risk of infection with dog bites, and you don’t want to risk it.
- After seeking any necessary treatment, file a bite report; again, no matter how minor the bite was. You can file with city or county animal control, who will legally document the case in the event that the same animal bites someone else.
- Next, you should gather any information you can, such as: the name and address of the dog’s owner, dog license information, previous records the dog may have and even photos of the injuries obtained because of the dog. Photographs of bloodied or damaged clothing and the location the bite occurred can also be helpful.
- Finally, call an experienced dog bite attorney! Your attorney will have nothing but your best interest in mind and will get your case going in the right direction. All materials you gathered (photos, contact information, other documentation) will assist your lawyer in obtaining the compensation you deserve.
The dog bite attorneys at Shea Law Group have recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars for victims of canine attacks. Let them help you with your case – call for a consultation at 1-877-365-0040.
Resource: http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-victim-guide.php