My Dog Bit Someone, Help! What To Do & Possible Repercussions
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Dogs are our best friends. People with a true understanding of canines know that the bond we share with them runs deep. They are family. Just like any family member, however, it’s impossible to predict everything your dog will do. Even dogs that have never shown signs of aggression can be triggered by something happening around them. When this happens, dog bites can occur. While seeing your dog act aggressively is scary, it’s important to know what to do if this situation occurs. We’re here to help.
Disclaimer: This article was written to provide pet owners with a generalized idea of what to do in a situation where their dog has bitten someone. It is not intended to replace the advice of legal counsel. Every situation is different, and each state has laws pertaining to dog bites you should be aware of as a pet owner.
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My Dog Bit Someone, Help!
Whether you’re at home and a friend stops by or you’re out for a walk around strangers, when your dog becomes aggressive, it’s scary. No matter the setting or situation, there are certain steps you should follow to not only help the person who was bitten but to also keep your dog under control. Let’s take a look at those now so you have an idea of how to proceed.
The 8 Steps to Follow if Your Dog Bit Someone
1. Stay Calm and Remain at the Scene
While it may not be easy to do, you need to remain as calm as possible in this type of situation. Your reactions could entice your dog to go into protection mode. Whether you’re in public or at home, you need to keep your composure so you can help the victim and better control the situation.
2. Secure Your Dog
According to where you are, securing your dog may not be easy. If the bite happens on your property, the dog needs to be removed from the situation immediately. You can do this by taking them inside and placing them in the kennel. This helps keep your pet from biting anyone else or even attacking other pets. If you are out in public, this is more difficult. If need be, place your dog in your vehicle with proper temperature control or leash them to a tree or post. Reaching out to a family member to come to the scene and collect your dog is also a possibility.
3. Assess the Situation
Once your dog is under control, you need to address the situation around you. Speak to the victim. If they are panicked, try to calm them down. Look at the severity of the bite. Dr. Ian Dunbar created a bite scale that can be a useful tool for this. Here’s a look at his levels of dog bites to give you an idea of the severity of the situation you’re facing.
- Level 1: Aggressive or obnoxious behavior but no contact made with teeth
- Level 2: The dog’s teeth make contact but did not puncture the skin
- Level 3: Up to 4 punctures on the victim from a single bite with none being deeper than ½ the length of the dog’s canines
- Level 4: Up to 4 punctures on the victim from a single bite with 1 or more punctures ½ the length of the dog’s canines
- Level 5: Multiple bite incident with at least 2 Level 4 bites involved
- Level 6: Death
4. Provide First Aid
According to the severity of the bite, you can offer first aid to the victim. Of course, the first step in any dog bite situation is to thoroughly wash the area. Once this is done, you can proceed accordingly. If the bite is severe, call for medical assistance.
5. Alert Authorities
If the bite was severe, the authorities should be contacted. You may even find that a bite victim wants authorities contacted for minor bites. This is their option. If the victim asks for this, oblige them. Once the authorities are there, they will assess the situation and tell you what you should do to proceed.
6. Exchanging and Gathering Information
If the bite isn’t severe and the victim doesn’t need medical assistance, then it’s time to exchange and gather information. With the possibility of liability, you should speak to anyone who saw the bite occur and get their contact info. You should also get the victim’s information, offer to pay for any medical bills that may occur and show them your dog’s licensing. Give the victim your information. This shows that you are taking things seriously.
7. Alert Your Insurance Provider
According to where the bite occurred, you may need to reach out to your homeowner’s insurance provider. Explain the situation to them, what you did to assist the victim, and be truthful.
8. Contact an Attorney
In the event of severe bites or victims that are uncooperative, reaching out to an attorney is important. Nothing may come from the situation, but being prepared is the best way to protect yourself and your dog.
What Happens Afterward?
Every dog bite situation is different. You’ll also find that each state has different laws about this situation. Let’s take a look at a few things that may happen after a dog bite incident, so that you’re prepared and not blindsided by events.
- Your dog could be seized: There are times after a dog bite when dogs are quarantined for a time. Having your dog up to date on their rabies vaccination and having proof of this is the best way to limit this quarantine time.
- You could be required to pay damages: According to your state and its laws, you could be liable for any damages your dog has caused.
- Paying out of pocket: Many homeowner’s policies cover dog bites, however, certain breeds are often excluded. These can include Pitbull and German Shepherds so be aware of your policy’s limitations.
- Misdemeanors: If you have a dog that has bitten someone in the past, you could find yourself in hot water. When dogs are deemed dangerous and bite again, often the owner is charged with a misdemeanor. Even worse, when things like this happen a second time, your dog could be euthanized. It’s crucial that you have your dog properly trained and socialized before allowing them to be around other people.
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Final Thoughts
Knowing what to do when a dog bites someone is information all pet owners should know. While we may think our dogs are the best-behaved babies on the planet, they are still animals and have the potential to hurt someone. If you and your dog find yourself in a situation where your dog has bitten someone, hopefully, the information shared in this article will help you handle the situation and whatever may happen afterward. As always, make sure your dog is properly trained and socialized before you take them out in public. This is the best way to keep people, and your dog, safe.
Featured Image Credit: dimid_86, Shutterstock
