Have A Dog? What To Do In The Moment If Your Dog Bites Someone
If you own a dog, it is important to know what to do if your dog ever bites someone. Hopefully, you will not need to use this information. However, it is better to be informed and to know what to do if your dog ever bites someone.
Keep Your Cool
If your dog bites someone, there is a high likelihood that the other person affected is going to be in shock or even experiencing a fight or flight response to what occurred. You need to keep your cool, as it is your responsibility to address your dog and provide assistance to the injured party. Your reaction to this situation could determine if the injured party decides to pursue a lawsuit against you in the future.
Get Your Dog Away From The Scene
The first thing you need to do is get your dog away from the scene. The injured person is not going to want to be near your dog, and others nearby may also try to get your dog away from the injured party. If your dog is being aggressive or continually trying to attack, it is your responsibility to control your dog.
If you are out in public, attach a leash to your dog or pull on your dog's leash and tie it up as far away as possible from the scene. If you are at your home or someone else's home, try to get your dog into a room where they will not encounter anyone else.
Address The Victim
Second, once your dog is under control, you need to turn your attention to the victim. This is not the time to argue with them about what happened or place blame for the situation. Instead, look at their injuries. If they are bleeding or have a large or deep cut, you should call 911 right away. If the injuries are more surface level, see if you can provide them with transportation to their doctor. It is common to get a tetanus shot after any dog bite, so it is important that you stress that they seek medical attention.
Provide Your Contact Information
If you do not know the victim, before they are transported by emergency services to the hospital or before someone takes them to the doctor, be sure to provide them with your contact information so that they can get in touch with you. In most states, you are required to provide your contact information to the injured party following a dog bite; you may face legal consequences if you fail to do so.
Offer To Cover Their Bills
One of the primary motivating factors that drive personal injury lawsuits in the case of dog bites is a desire by the victim to have their medical bills covered. You can cut this motivation off by offering to pay their medical bills upfront or letting them know that you will file a claim with your homeowner's insurance to cover their medical bills.
Watch Your Words
Finally, be careful about what you say. At no time should you admit fault for what has happened; this can be used against you in court. Instead, focus on providing help to the injured victim and putting your dog somewhere safe.
You may want to contact an attorney, such as those found at Powers Law, so you know what additional steps you can take to protect yourself from a lawsuit.
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