If you’re a dog lover like we are, it’s easy to forget that sometimes, dogs can still be dangerous. In fact, there are approximately 500,000 dog bites reported in Canada every single year. Since dog bites can cause serious injury and financial ramifications, it’s important to know what to do if a dog has bitten you. Read on to learn what steps you need to take to treat your wounds properly and to get the compensation you deserve.

Distance Yourself

If a dog has bitten you, the first thing you should do is to distance yourself from the animal. Try to get away to a safe area to avoid getting bitten or attacked further.

Collect Information

If the owner is in the vicinity, get their contact information, including their veterinary information and the dog’s vaccination history. In the case that the owner is not present, you’ll want to seek out witnesses to find out where the owner lives to obtain their contact information. You may also need to call animal control to help locate the animal and ensure it does not bite anyone else.

Take Photos

During this time, you should also take any relevant photos of your wound, the dog, the owner and the area for evidence of the incident. You should also document your injuries.

Administer First Aid

You may be able to administer first aid to yourself, but in the case that you need immediate medical attention, head directly to the hospital. To treat your injury, wash the area with warm water and soap and apply pressure to the wound. This will help flush out any germs and bacteria from the bite. Apply an antibacterial lotion and clean cloth or bandage to prevent any further bleeding. If the pain or wound worsens, seek medical attention immediately.

Call An Injury Lawyer

Your next step is to call an injury lawyer. Tell them what happened and provide as much information as possible. This is where the information and photos that you have collected come in handy. They will advise you on what to do next and let you know if you are eligible for compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and travel costs.

Visit Your Doctor

Dogs can carry bacteria, and other viral conditions, so don’t forget to make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. They will check your injury for any broken bones, nerve damage, infections, serious scarring, or dangerous conditions such as rabies and tetanus that could lead to death.

Knowing what to do after you’ve been bitten by a dog can ensure that you get the right medical attention and legal outcome that you deserve. To increase your chances of a successful lawsuit, contact us at Zuber and Brioux Law. We specialize in injury law and take on hundreds of dog-related cases every year with successful results.