What to Do if your Dog Bites Someone

If your dog bites someone, there are a few things lawyers suggest you should do:

Stay calm. Don't argue. Don't accuse. Be nice to the victim. He or she will have to make a decision about pursuing you for damages.

Make sure the victim gets medical attention. Take him or her to the hospital or to a doctor. Be considerate.

Whether or not you have insurance, if you have any money or credit at all, you should offer to pay for the victim's medical bills.

Take steps to protect others from your dog. Technically, you are the wrong doer because you own the dog; wrong doers are legally required to minimize the danger to the victim and possibly others.

Obtain the name, address, and phone number of every witness.

Avoid making statements because there are possible criminal consequences when a dog bites or injures someone.

In the days and weeks after the attack, keep in touch with the victim if possible. Show a genuine interest in his or her condition.

The local animal control authorities may require that your dog be quarantined. Sometimes the quarantine can be at your own home.

Locate and preserve your dog's medical records, including proof that he has received rabies shots. Make a copy of the rabies certificate and give it to the victim, to put his or her mind at ease.

Report the incident to your insurance company. If you are a homeowner or if there is any possibility that you have other insurance that may provide coverage for the dog attack, get in touch with your insurance agent and make a proper report. Tell the truth about the dog and what happened.

If you definitely are not insured, consider talking to an attorney about the incident.

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