A couple of hours ago I was bitten by a dog (German Shepard). I had to do something because we'd already ran the dog off twice for chasing the kids at this gathering. it came back and was chasing a little girl who was running and screaming and crying her mother was doing nothing so I ran out and grabbed the dog so that he wouldn't bite her or knock her down. He smelled my food in my opposite hand and tried to jump at me. I tried to lead it away from the children but when he failed to leave them alone and follow me out of our yard I grabbed him from behind the little girl again and thats when he latched onto my arm. I have 2 large and 2 medium sized puncture wounds as well as multiple scrapes. the two larger woulnds have just stopped bleeding. The ownder's were not at home (or just wouldn't answer the door). The car in the yard had rims on it but no tag and there was no name on the mailbox. Should I take pictures, see a Dr., go back to their house? What?
2007-09-29 17:44:31 · 18 answers · asked by karamel_kandi1 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Call the police and/or animal control immediately! You need to be sure the dog is current on its Rabies vaccines and the dog's owner are responsible him and for your medical bills. Check with an attorney about recouping those costs. If he is not vaccinated you will have to undergo the shots, whether he is rabid or not. Dogs that bite are usually put in quarantine whether at home or at the animal shelter because of the risk of rabies.
Most cities have vicious dog laws, this dog clearly is a danger and could seriously maim or kill next time. Granted, grabbing a strange dog is likely to trigger a bite since most dogs would see that as a threat or an attack, but he should not have been running free since most cities also have a leash law.
Definitely take pictures, and get witness statements if there are willing people. I would go back with the police and/or animal control or both. You should also go to the doctor since a tetanus shot is in order. You have suffered a serious bite, and bacteria from those teeth can be pushed into your wounds, causing infection. Go to your doctor and tell him it is a dog bite and he will report it as well. Do not wait. I wish you well. I have included a site about dog bite laws I hope it is of help.
2007-09-29 18:05:52 · answer #1 · answered by Vet Tech/Dog Trainer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Next time, I would not grab the dog from behind. I would have orderd all the kids to get inside the house. Secondly, I'd give up the food if I had to , instead of getting bitten !
I would go to ER to have wound looked at. It might need some of that new super glue they use for stitches to minimize the scaring. It should be cleaned properly . You may need a shot to protect you from rabies. It does not sound like the dog had a village tag / so dog may not be up to date. Next stop, I'd make would be the police / to make an incident report. On Sunday, I'd get some pictures of the wounds. On Monday morning , you can call lawyers and animal control. You could have someone you know call animal control tonight. The dog should not be left outside to attack others.
2007-09-30 01:06:37 · answer #2 · answered by Mildred S 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually, unless you are really hurt, you shouldn't do anything. In the majority of states, by touching the dog first, you are "attacking" the dog and therefore it is acting in self defense. Crazy, huh? The dog bite laws only apply if a dog randomly attacks, not if you touched them first. Most dog owners know this and they will turn around and sue you and charge you for it. It happened to me once when I was trying to get a dog to stop running in busy street. I had several bites and still have scars. I dropped it to prevent jailtime because the owners were so adament that I had violated the law by touching their dog (grabbing its collar to lead it to a safe area). Your best bet is to try to get the owners to help with your bills and not take it into a court because any attorney will countersue/charge you. You can, however, report that the dog was at large and they will get a little visit from the police and the police will look into the situation and hopefully prevent the dog from being out again. The law sucks sometimes, if you ask me. Good luck.
2007-09-30 00:56:13 · answer #3 · answered by Yoda 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Please seek medical attention first. Somehow, dog bites always seem to get infected, no matter how well we clean them up ourselves. Definitely take pictures and get witnesses to provide you with statements and their phone numbers. Then call the police. The dog will need to be caught and the owners will have to provide proof of vaccinations, or you may have to be treated for possible rabies as well. Even at that, in many areas the dog will have to be held in quarrantine anyway. You should then contact a lawyer. You will have no trouble winning this case.
2007-09-30 10:10:10 · answer #4 · answered by anne b 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the others, but they I feel they left out an important thing you need to do:
*call the aspca or humane society, and have the dog removed from your property, and have them monitor the dog for any disease. This is first and foremost, and THEN go to the doctor's immediately.
These people need to take responsibility for their dog's actions.
be sure your witnesses get a signed affidavit or certified statement you can take to court, because the judge will not read anything that hasn't been certified.
Good luck!
2007-09-30 00:59:53 · answer #5 · answered by Rochelle T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you mentioned a gathering, sounds like there were witnesses. You need to see a doctor in case the dog has rabies or another disease. Then bring in a lawyer. The dog's owners are absolutely in the wrong and you should have no problem building a case.
2007-09-30 00:48:48 · answer #6 · answered by Pepper 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be sure to take pictures of the bite wounds. Get to a Dr and have it looked at . Call the police and file a report. Then get a lawyer and provide him with the photos, the name and phone number of the Dr. who treated you, and a copy of the policeman's report.
2007-09-30 00:51:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, man. I would call the cops first. Let them confront the owner. Go to a doctor. Take photos and write down what happened as well as who was there to witness the incident.
Then find you a lawyer, most will give you a free consultation to see if your case has merit. Take care of your wounds!
2007-09-30 00:57:01 · answer #8 · answered by Really now 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, yeah you should see a dr. they will file a report and the dog will have to be watched for rabies. talk with the owners and if they aren't willing to pay the bill, get a lawyer and sue. first, the dog was out of their yard and everywhere has a leash law. second, it did bite you. they should at least pay the medical bills
2007-09-30 00:49:48 · answer #9 · answered by midsummers_night_storm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok you have a case , and maybe not
first you must report the bite to the police, after you have been to the ER room, get a report from the doctor ,
then take it to the police dept .
but this sounds like a dog, that needed food,
so suing them, if you can find them, mite be a waste of time.
you need to prove , one the dog bit you, two ,the dog owner, is liable,and three, they wear aware that ,they dog was loose , they kid mite have let it out ,
if you win the case , 90% of the time they put the dog to sleep,
with you statement , you asaulted the dog ,
you grab the dog from behind, in fact your action provocked the dog . silly mistake , but you could have gotten biten in the face , i would let it go ........
2007-09-30 01:16:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋