What to do if you are bitten by a Dog

While a dog may be man’s best friend, not every dog is perfectly behaved.  Unfortunately, by spending time with any dog, you run the risk of being bitten.  In fact, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that over 4 million Americans are bitten by a dog each year, and one out of every five of those bites results in an injury that requires medical attention.  Therefore, it is important for you to know the proper steps to take in the event that you are bitten by a dog.

First, if the owner of the dog is present at the time, make sure to exchange names and contact numbers, as you will need to obtain proof of rabies vaccination from the dog’s owner.  You should then gently clean the bite wound with antibacterial soap as soon as possible.  Next, depending on the severity of the wound, you should either head to your local emergency room, or schedule an appointment with your family physician to have the wound examined and treated.  Then, you should notify your local animal control and police department.  They will contact the owner and require that individual to take steps to prevent their dog from biting others.  Finally, if you are severely injured, you will want to get in touch with an experienced attorney in your state, who can advise you if the dog’s owner is liable for damages.

There are a few ways you can safeguard yourself against being bitten by dogs.  For example, you should always approach a dog, even one you are familiar with, slowly and cautiously.  If you are in the company of a dog that is becoming aggressive, your instinct may be to scream or run away; however, the safer route is to remain calm, move away from the dog very slowly, and avoid eye contact, as the dog may interpret it as a challenge.  The safest route of all is to completely avoid contact with any dog you do not know.