If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, it can be a painful, frightening, and overwhelming experience. Whether the bite was minor or severe, how you react in the minutes, hours, and days afterward can make a major difference not just in your health, but in your ability to recover damages, avoid complications, and protect others. It’s natural you have other questions and concerns like “does the dog have to be put down” or “who will pay for my medical expenses”.
When it comes to deciding what to do after a dog bite, however, your first action should be taking care of the person who was bitten.
As a dog bite lawyer serving Hamilton, Cincinnati, and surrounding areas, we’ve seen the long-term impacts dog bites can have on victims. Beyond the initial injury, many people deal with scarring, trauma, infection, and financial burdens from medical bills and time off work. While we can’t undo the situation that’s taken place, we strive to help injured parties find closure and justice so that they can move on with their lives.
Today, we’re here to help answer the question: what should you do someone’s dog bites you? Here are the first 5 steps you should take.
1. Seek Medical Attention
Your number one priority should always be health and safety. Even if the bite doesn’t look bad, don’t assume it’s minor. Dog bites can break the skin in ways that aren’t immediately obvious, and they often introduce harmful bacteria into the wound.
In fact, the CDC estimates that nearly 1 in 5 dog bites becomes infected. Depending on the severity and location of the bite, complications could include:
- Deep tissue damage
- Nerve injury
- Infection (like cellulitis or rabies)
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
Go to an emergency room, urgent care, or your primary doctor as soon as possible. They can clean the wound, administer necessary vaccinations (like tetanus or rabies), and start antibiotics if needed. Getting treatment quickly also creates an official medical record of the injury, which can support your legal case later.
2. File a Report
Many people skip this step, thinking it’s unnecessary if the bite seems minor or if they know the dog’s owner. But this is a critical part of protecting your rights and documenting the situation.
You should report the bite to:
- The local police department – especially if the dog is loose or the injury is serious. An officer can take a report and ensure the situation is handled safely.
- The local dog warden or animal control office – they’ll check if the dog has a history of aggressive behavior, confirm whether it’s licensed and vaccinated, and potentially quarantine it for observation.
If you’re in Hamilton or Butler County, Ohio, for example, you would report the bite to the Butler County Dog Warden. If you’re in Cincinnati or elsewhere in Ohio or Northern Kentucky, local animal control departments will have their own procedures. Either way, getting the incident officially recorded helps your case and could prevent the dog from hurting someone else.
3. Inform the Dog Owner
If the dog owner isn’t at the scene—or you don’t know who they are—it’s important to identify them as soon as possible. If the dog was wandering loose, ask witnesses or neighbors if they recognize the animal. In some cases, doorbell cameras or security footage may help determine where the dog came from.
Once you have contact with the owner:
- Let them know you were bitten.
- Ask if the dog is up to date on vaccinations, particularly rabies.
- Request a copy of any relevant medical or vet records.
- Exchange contact and insurance information.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to accuse them or get into an argument. Keep the conversation simple, polite, and fact-based. Just because you’re informing them doesn’t mean you’re waiving your right to legal action.
4. Gather Evidence
The more evidence you gather, the better your chances of recovering full compensation for your injuries. Don’t rely solely on memory—capture everything as it happens.
Here’s what you should document:
- Photos of the wound – take pictures immediately after the bite and every few days during the healing process.
- Photos of the scene – show where it occurred, any visible blood, torn clothing, or dog containment (or lack thereof).
- Witness names and contact info – if anyone saw the incident, get their statements and phone numbers.
- Your own written statement – within 24 hours of the bite, write down exactly what happened. Details fade fast.
This kind of documentation is key to building a strong legal case and protecting yourself against conflicting accounts from the dog’s owner.
Evidence is Critical to Determining Fault
According to the dog bite laws of Ohio, owners can be held financially responsible for injuries caused by their dog—even if the dog has never bitten anyone before or shown signs of aggression.
Ohio Revised Code §955.28 states:
“The owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog is liable in damages for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the dog, unless the injured party was trespassing, committing a crime, or teasing/abusing the dog.”
So unless you were doing something illegal or provoking the animal, you have a strong legal foundation for a claim.
5. Talk With a Personal Injury Lawyer
While you might assume the next step is to speak to an insurance company, it may be a good idea to speak to a lawyer first. Dog bite cases can become very complicated both legally and emotionally, especially if you know the owner of the dog. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the process, while helping you understand your options and providing space for you to recover.
At The Richards Firm, we know how difficult dog bite situations can be. Though we love dogs, we recognize and respect the responsibility that dog owners have under the law. When those laws are violated, the necessary legal steps must be followed.
Whether the bite happened in Hamilton, Cincinnati, or Northern Kentucky, our team is here to help you move forward through this difficult situation. When you work with us, you can expect to be treated as an individual. Your initial consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Contact The Richards Firm today by clicking here or calling us at 513-461-0084.