How To File a Dog Bite Report

Dog Bite Report: Also known as man’s best friend, dogs are mostly friendly and loyal.  Nevertheless, dogs sometimes attack people for unknown reasons and many times the attacks can be violent and traumatizing.  Whether it’s a large or small breed, a dog bite can cause severe injuries and leave permanent scars. Dog bite cases are steadily increasing, and 51% of all dog bite victims are children aged 12 or younger.  In 2017, there were 25 fatalities due to dog bite cases, while in 2018, the number went up to 35.

Dogs have sharp k-9 teeth that can easily pierce human skin and can leave a deep wound depending on the breed and age of the dog. Many people assume all dogs are friendly and will attempt to pet or play with a stranger’s dog. But dogs can be very protective and paranoid, which can lead to an attack on unsuspecting people.

Most people do not know that they can file a dog bite case and recover money for the physical and mental injuries resulting from the bite. Owners are responsible for their pets, therefore, they are responsible for any resulting injuries from a dog bite case. Many times, the homeowner’s insurance policy will pick up the claim and defend the pet owner, which allows for better recovery for the victim.

There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration when examining a dog bite case and a dog bite lawyer can help you navigate your claim.

How to File a Dog Bite Report- The Initial Step

Immediately following a dog bite, you should seek medical attention, since there is the risk of infectious and life-threatening diseases like Rabies. You should then document your injuries and circumstances surrounding the incident.

Next, you should follow these steps to ensure your dog bite case is strong:

• Take pictures of your wounds
• Write down details of the incident
• Talk to people who witnessed the incident
• Learn about the dog that bit you and whether it has bitten others before.
• Talk to a dog bite lawyer.
• Below we have included some additional detail on how to file a dog bite case.

Take pictures
If a dog has bitten you, regardless of the wound intensity, be sure to take several pictures of any bites and scratches, as well as pictures of the dog and the place of the incident. It may be difficult at that time but these photographs can help identify the dog and its owner. Otherwise, far too often the owner grabs his dog and disappears without anyone noticing.

Also, take pictures of the surroundings – street signs, house numbers, model and license plates of the cars around. You may need these photos later to help prove your case or get in touch with witnesses. Additionally, police, animal control agencies, insurance companies, and the dog bite lawyer will need these pictures.

Get necessary information about the dog and its owner
Be sure the owner doesn’t immediately grab the dog and vanish from the premises. Be sure that you or someone else talk to the dog owner and ask him or her several questions, including his or her name, address, and phone number. Also, ask for his or her dog’s name, age, and breed. Most importantly, ask for the dog’s regular veterinarian in order to get informed about its vaccination, especially Rabies. If the dog is licensed and is wearing a tag, ask the owner for the license information too. This information should be sufficient for you to file a report, and the rest can be investigated later by the concerned authorities or your dog bite attorney.

Call the police and file a dog bite report
If the bite is more than a minor scratch or if the dog’s owner is uncooperative, just call the police. A police officer can help reconcile the situation and decide if the dog needs to be immediately taken away if it is a danger to the public. Moreover, the officer may even write a police report about the incident, which can be a useful and persuasive piece of evidence when filing your dog bite claim with the insurance company and with animal control.

Make sure that you only request emergency help from the police when the injury is severe (you’re bleeding or significantly hurt) or when the owner is attempting to flee. Otherwise, call the non-emergency number and state that all parties are still at the scene. Don’t forget to obtain the incident report number from the police and keep that in your records. You will need that when filing or referring the case.

Get Medical Attention
After getting the owner’s information, you should either go to the emergency room or go someplace where you can clean the wound thoroughly. Depending on the severity of the wound, you may need to see a doctor to get stitches and bandages. Getting proper medical attention can prevent possible infection and help reduce scarring.

Call animal control agency to complete the process
In California, a dog bite must be reported if it calls for any medical care (emergency or otherwise). Call your local animal control agency and tell them about the whole scenario in order to get the dog bite case on record. Animal control will investigate the incident, including the dog’s biting history (if any), its pattern of behavior, or other dangerous habits that could be a threat to the public. The animal control agency may be able to verify the dog’s medical history, including important vaccination status.

Sometimes the owner creates a bad environment for the dog that causes them to be aggressive, so it is prudent to report the incident so that the dog can be removed from the hostile environment and hopefully placed in a better home.

What if My dog bites someone? What should I do?

Dogs can sometimes be unpredictable, and you may be in a situation where your dog has bitten someone. If this happens and the victim has filed a dog bite report against your dog, you must co-operate with the investigation team of your local animal control authority. Dog bite cases can have severe consequences, including being sued in civil court, financial penalty, having your dog taken away from you, insurance rate increase and in extreme cases, you can be charged criminally.

It is possible that the victim may not pursue a case against you, but if they do, then you should report the case to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance carrier. In most instances, they will handle the entire case, including hiring a dog bite defense lawyer if needed and paying any settlement or judgments against you. If you do not have insurance and are being sued, you should consult with a dog bite lawyer.

If you know that your dog has tendencies towards biting people, then you need to be sure that you do not put your dog in a situation where it can harm people. As the owner, you are responsible for your pets and you can hold liable for your dog’s harmful actions.

EXPERTLY REVIEWED BY

Naseer Khan, Esq.

April 25 2024

Top-rated personal injury attorney Naseer Khan, Esq. has over a decade of experience advocating for injury victims in California. As an award-winning attorney and a member of the American Association for Justice, Khan has a stellar track record of success and devotion to justice for his clients.