Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

When an animal attacks you, it can be a very emotionally traumatic event. Amidst surprise, upset and pain, it is easy to forget to take certain steps that are vital to your health, possible compensation for damages incurred and even the safety of others. If the proper Dog bite protocol is already in the back of your mind, you can more effectively proceed during the event of an attack.

As soon as the Dog is at a safe distance from you following an attack, take the following steps.

- As difficult as it may be, try to get a good mental image of what the animal looks like. Try to access breed type, coloring, unique marks, size, etc. This is important regardless of whether or not the owner was present during the attack. But if the owner is not around, the dog will likely strike again. A dangerous animal needs to be removed from the streets as soon as possible. Also, if you the dog that was involved in the attack is not caught, you will be forced to undergo invasive and painful rabies treatment which involves a series of large shots given in the abdomen.

- If the dog is with its owner, get the owner's personal information. If he or she refuses, immediately report the incident to the local police. It is usually best to report the incident either way.

- Get medical attention as soon as you have information regarding the attack. The doctor you see will decide whether or not you need to undergo rabies treatment. If the owner of the dog was identified, he or she will be ordered to quarantine the dog in order to assure it does not have rabies. If the dog is behind on rabies shots, you may be required to get rabies treatment. Make sure to keep all medical records regarding the bite and ask your doctor if your wounds might need future plastic surgeries. This is very important, as follow up surgeries are considered cosmetic and are not usually covered by insurance.

- Contact the owner about repayment for damages. If the owner fails to do so, you might consider contacting a personal injury lawyer to find out about your legal options. Your lawyer will help you decide whether or not a personal injury lawsuit is in your best interest.

For more information on dog bites, contact Des Moines area lawyers.

Joseph Devine