Even the happiest and friendliest of dogs can suddenly turn on and bite you. When you are bitten by a dog, whether it be a stray or a dog belonging to a friend or family member, you should act immediately to make sure the bite does not become infected.
According to one Charlotte NC personal injury lawyer, when an attack or bite occurs, medical treatment is required in 30 percent of cases. Immediately after being bitten, it is vital that you take certain steps to protect your health and perhaps the safety of your family and friends.
a) Clean Out the Bite
After you have been bitten by a dog, you should go right away to a sink and wash the wound out with warm water and mild soap. This cleaning will get rid of any food, dirt, or other particles that may have been implanted into your skin. After you clean out the wound, you should apply rubbing alcohol or peroxide to the wound and then wrap it loosely with a bandage. These preliminary steps will provide a first line of defense against infection.
b) Go to the Emergency Room
Even if you know the dog that bit you, you should still head to the emergency room for immediate treatment. At the ER, your wound can be cleaned out with the proper medication and then dressed for proper healing. Your doctor can also gather information about the dog’s history to make sure it is vaccinated against rabies.
If the dog belongs to a family member or friend, that person may be required by law to prove that the dog is current on its rabies vaccination. If the animal is a stray, an animal control officer will ask you where the animal is so that it can be captured and tested for rabies. If need be, you may need to undergo the appropriate injections to protect you from this disease.
c) Comply with the Law
Your doctor is obligated to report dog bites to the local law enforcement agency. Even if the dog is that of a friend or relative, it still may be taken into custody until the police can determine if it is not a danger to the public. Seeing your friend or family member’s dog taken from them can be heart-wrenching. However, this protective measure is required by law and is designed to protect the public. As painful as it is to witness, you must comply with the police and be honest about how and why the animal bit you.
d) Get an Attorney if Necessary
Once a beloved dog is taken into custody by the police, your neighbor, friend, or relative may turn on you and try to blame you for the bite. In fact, it should not be up to you to pay your medical bills or make up your lost income because of the dog owner’s negligence. You can protect yourself from the consequences of being bitten by someone else’s animal by hiring an attorney.
Your lawyer can make sure that a claim is filed against the dog owner’s home or renter’s insurance policy. This action can provide you with the proper amount of compensation as you recuperate from the dog bite.
Being bitten by a dog is a traumatic experience for anyone. You can make sure your bite does not get infected and make sure the animal is properly quarantined and tested for rabies by taking the appropriate actions after you are bitten.
Melanie Fleury is the proud mother to four human children and three four-legged ones. While the trusts her own dogs, she has always taught her children to ask before approaching other animals. Auger & Auger Attorneys at Law, a Charlotte NC personal injury lawyer, wants victims of dog bites to know that you may be able to obtain compensation for your injury if you or a loved one is attacked by a dog.