Dog bites can happen quickly. Maybe your normally friendly dog suddenly snaps at you. Maybe a friend’s dog gets a little too protective. Maybe a neighborhood dog suddenly doesn’t like whatever it is you’re doing.
Whatever the cause, it’s very important that you take the appropriate actions immediately afterwards. As a Hamilton, Ohio law office that deals with dog bite cases, we’ve seen firsthand how dangerous a dog bite can be. Even one that seems relatively minor.
Today, we’d like to discuss what to do after a dog bite. But first, let’s get a better understanding of just how dangerous a dog bite can be.
The Dangers of Dog Bites
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you’re not alone. One in 50 Americans are bitten by a dog every year. While most of these relatively minor bites on the hand, arm, or ankle, they can be more dangerous than they initially seem.
Dog bites often cause more than surface-level wounds. Beneath the skin, there can be damage to muscles, tendons, and nerves. Infections are also a significant concern. Dogs carry bacteria in their mouths, including strains that can lead to serious complications if not treated quickly.
The consequences of dog bites include:
- Puncture wounds that are deeper than they appear
- Infections such as rabies or tetanus
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Nerve damage or loss of function
- Emotional trauma, especially in children
The risk of bacterial infection is particularly concerning, as this can happen with any size of dog bite. Left untreated, it can lead to infection, and in more extreme cases, the loss of a limb.
Beyond the physical injuries, there is also the emotional impact. Many victims develop anxiety around dogs or experience lingering stress after the incident. This is especially true when the attack was unexpected and/or severe.
The bottom line is simple: you should always take a dog bite seriously, even if it initially appears minor.
What to Do After a Dog Bite: Care for the Wound
Your first priority after a dog bite is your health. Immediate care can prevent complications and create a clear medical record of your injury. Of course, you should first make sure you are safely separated from the dog so no further bites can occur.
Once you’ve done that, it’s time to address the wound.
Clean the Wound Immediately
If possible, wash the bite area with soap and warm water for several minutes. This helps remove bacteria and reduces the risk of infection. Afterwards, you can apply an antibacterial cream. While people have traditionally used hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol, medical professionals increasingly advise against this.
Though something like hydrogen peroxide kills harmful bacteria, it can also damage healthy cells and delay the healing process.
Once the wound it clean, cover it with a clean bandage. As time goes, make sure to regularly clean and rebandage the wound. It’s also good to keep the wounded area moist, as this promotes healing and reduces scarring.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you clean and cover the wound yourself, you should strongly consider seeing a medical professional after any dog bite.
This is especially true if:
- The bite broke the skin
- The wound is deep or bleeding heavily
- The dog is unfamiliar or unvaccinated
- You have not had a recent tetanus shot
- There are signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or warmth
In addition to checking and cleaning the wound, a medical professional can prescribe antibiotics like amoxicillin to kill any harmful germs or bacteria that may have made their way into your system.
Seeking medical attention also plays an important role if you later pursue a legal claim. We’ll go into this further in a moment.
Document Your Injuries
This step is mostly for people who were bitten by someone else’s dog. As you clean your wound and seek medical treatment, you should be documenting everything to the best of your ability.
Photograph your injuries as soon as possible and continue taking photos throughout the healing process. Keep records of medical visits, treatments, and expenses. If there were witnesses to the dog bite, make sure you get their contact information.
This documentation can become critical later, especially if an insurance company questions your claim or attempts to minimize your injuries.
Who Does the Dog Belong To?
Your wound is now properly treated, and you’re on the road to recovery. What you do next depends on who the owner of the dog is. If it’s your own dog that bit you, you’ll want to reflect on how this occurred. Were you ignoring warning signs or otherwise taking actions that caused a justified response from your dog? Or did your dog get too aggressive and take a dangerous action?
Either way, it’s a good idea to consider some further training. You may even want to work with an experienced trainer to address the situation and ensure it never happens again.
If the dog belongs to someone else, you may want to consider legal action. This decision can be difficult as owners are often very attached to their dogs. However, it’s also important that you protect your rights and that the matter is properly addressed. If a particular dog bit you, it could bite someone else in the future.
And of course, there’s the expense of treating your wounds and moving on with your life.
Liability of Dog Owners
The specifics of dog bite liability can vary from state to state. According to the dog bite laws of Ohio, it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure their pet doesn’t cause harm.
Ohio common law provides for a claim against a dog owner. Ohio statutory law also provides for a strict liability claim, which means the following:
- The injured party does not need to prove the dog owner acted negligently.
- It does not matter if the dog has no history of aggressive behavior.
- The owner is held responsible even if they took reasonable steps to prevent an attack.
If their dog bit you, they are responsible, but it’s up to you to take the appropriate actions to see it through. Of course, you may be wondering…
What Happens to the Dog?
“If a dog bites someone, does it have to be put down?”
This is one of the most common concerns when it comes to dog bites, and it’s a big reason why many people avoid taking legal action. However, it’s important to remember that if a dog bit you, there’s a chance it could bite someone else.
Your bite may have been relatively minor. The next one might not be.
It’s also worth nothing that a dog is not necessarily required to be put down if it bites someone. Particularly if it’s the first time it’s happened.
Authorities typically evaluate:
- The severity of the bite
- Whether the dog has a history of aggression
- If the attack was provoked
- Local laws and regulations
In many cases, the dog may be quarantined for observation, especially to monitor for signs of rabies. This quarantine period is often required by law and helps protect public health. Additionally, some form of training may be required afterwards.
When More Serious Action Is Taken
If the dog has a history of dangerous behavior or the attack was severe, authorities may classify it as a dangerous or vicious animal. This can lead to stricter containment requirements or, in some cases, euthanasia.
These decisions are not taken lightly. They involve careful review and sometimes legal hearings and are meant to balance public safety with fairness to the animal and its owner.
Why Reporting Still Matters
Even if you are concerned about the dog’s outcome, reporting the incident is important. It creates a record that can prevent future attacks and ensures that proper procedures are followed.
Your goal is not to punish the dog; it is to protect yourself and others from further harm.
When to Speak to an Attorney
When deciding what to do after a dog bite, many people are unsure whether they need legal help. Some assume the situation is straightforward, while others hesitate because they do not want to escalate things. The truth is, speaking to an attorney can provide clarity, protect your interests, and actually deescalate the situation.
Pursuing a dog bite claim is not about winning a big recover, it’s about understanding your options and making sure your best interests are protected.
At The Richards Firm, we strive to improve our Ohio community by making the legal system more accessible to everyone. And yes, that includes our neighbors in Northern Kentucky. The law may be complex, but your needs tend to be more straightforward.
We’re here to bridge the gap, listening to your situation so that we can help you take the best actions possible. Sometimes those actions include filing a claim and taking legal action. Sometimes they don’t.
Either way, your initial consultation is always free. And should we move forward as your attorney, you only pay if we win your case. With The Richards Firm, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
To schedule your free consultation, just give us a call at 513-461-0084 or by visiting our contact page here. We’ll happily meet you in person at a place of your choosing or virtually on a video or phone call.
Make sure you take the appropriate actions after a dog bite in Ohio. Contact the Richards Firm today!