blog home Dog Bites Should I Call the Police After a Dog Bite?

Should I Call the Police After a Dog Bite?

By stladmin on June 23, 2021

Being attacked and mauled by a dog is a traumatic experience, and even more so if you sustained serious bites. It is important to report the incident to animal control. The dog may bite other people if steps are not taken to prevent it, and the dog owner needs to be made aware of the dog’s behavior. Calling animal control or the police also means there will be an official report that you may need later.

Animal Control is part of the Campbell County Sheriff’s Department. Contact information about where to call with animal complaints can be found on the county’s website. A dog that bites can be declared dangerous and subject to confiscation, confinement, or penalties, and in the worst cases, the end result could be that the animal is destroyed.

When Should I Call 911?

After a dog attack, call 911 right away for the police or emergency medical services if:

• Injuries appear to be life-threatening
• A victim is suffering significant blood loss, cannot move or feel parts of the body, or has a severed body part
• The dog is still in the area acting aggressively
• The dog’s rabies vaccination history is in question

Individuals bitten by dogs have a high risk of infection, nerve damage, and various diseases that can be transmitted to humans, such as rabies and parvo. It is important to get emergency medical attention for severe bites.

Why Do I Need an Official Report?

Either Animal Control or the police will make an official report of the incident when you report a dog attack. The report will describe the incident in the way you said it occurred. If you decide to file a personal injury claim in the future, the police or Animal Control report is an official document that provides evidence for your case.

What Are the Complications of Dog Bites?

Dog bite victims can develop serious complications that can keep them away from work and may require extensive medical treatment. The most common complication is infection, which can range in severity from easily treatable to potentially life-threatening sepsis – an extreme response of the body to infection. Different types of infection can be caused by dog bites, including:

• Rabies: A virus that affects the brain and can be fatal for humans.
• Tetanus: A toxin caused by bacteria that can lead to paralysis. Many adults are not up to date on their tetanus vaccines.
• MRSA: A deadly type of bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics.
• Pasteurella: A type of bacteria found in infected dog bite wounds that can cause swelling and redness and lead to a staph infection.

Should I File a Personal Injury Claim?

If you have been injured in an attack by someone else’s dog, you have a right to file a claim for compensation. Severe bites may require medical treatment and time away from work, which could be even more extensive if you develop complications. A serious dog attack can leave an innocent child or adult with disfiguring scars on the face, neck, limbs, or body. A personal injury claim is a way to seek a recovery for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any losses you suffered because of the attack.

Your best chance of recovering full compensation is to have an experienced lawyer on your side. At Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., we represent injured people in personal injury claims and help them fight for the compensation they deserve. Our Gillette dog bite attorney can guide you through every step of the process. We can investigate your dog bite incident and deal with insurance companies on your behalf.

If you have been a victim of a dog attack in Campbell County, call us at (307) 257-7800 to schedule a free case strategy session. We can tell you if you have a case and what damages you may be entitled to claim.