Dogs are usually friendly and playful. After all, they’re not nicknamed “people’s best friends” for no reason. But just like the average person, dogs can also get startled or anxious, and that’s when dog bites are likely to happen.
Let’s explore the proper way to handle dog bites and some useful tips to prevent one!
When Do Dog Bites Happen?
They usually happen all of a sudden. You could be on your morning walk and running in your nearby park and easily suffer a dog bite.
What Does a Dog Bite Feel Like?
The first thing you’ll feel is unbearable and sharp pain. Then you’ll start to feel anxious and panic kicks in. It’s definitely a big shock, as you usually don’t see a dog bite coming, especially as most dogs are quite calm and simply want to play.
What Triggers a Dog to Bite?
As we mentioned, dogs can sometimes feel agitated or even provoked by outside factors, and this is when they get defensive. When they are trained, they are usually not aggressive or harmful to others, so there’s no need to fear when walking near a dog.
However, under certain circumstances, dogs can bite out of fear or if they feel the need to protect themselves. On average, more than 12,400 US residents are hospitalized annually as a result of a dog bite. Injuries vary from minor to more severe and it’s always best to immediately seek medical attention.
Apart from seeking medical attention, what else should an injured person do? Most people get bitten only once in a lifetime, so they aren’t that experienced with the procedure after a dog bite.
In the next paragraphs, we’ll give you some actionable tips that will, hopefully, make the situation a bit easier and cause you less stress.
What Should I Do if I Get Bit By a Dog?
After you get medical attention, the question is: “How and where do I report this?” You see, a dog bite doesn’t end after your medical treatment. Unfortunately, you also have to deal with the legal process that comes afterward if you want to make sure you get the insurance money.
So, how do you deal with dog bites and the legal intricacies that pop up?
Best Tips for Handling a Dog Bite
We hope you never need any of these tips. If you’re a dog owner yourself, you know that it’s your responsibility to train your dog properly and make sure they don’t harm anyone.
Unfortunately, sometimes, dog owners fail to do this, and that’s when accidents happen. But we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a look at what you can do following a dog bite incident to make the situation a bit more bearable.
1. Get medical attention
We already said this but it doesn’t hurt to repeat. As soon as you get bitten by a dog, you need to get medical attention. Call 911 immediately or have someone make the call for you if you’re not able to reach your phone.
A doctor will check the wound and see if any further appointments are necessary. They will prescribe the treatment and you need to follow up with all the appointments to make sure you’re healthy.
2. Find a good dog bite attorney
Then, after you’re up and feeling well, it’s time to deal with everyone’s favorite—insurance company representatives. In order to avoid the stress of doing everything alone, do yourself a favor and get a dog bite attorney that will do the tough work for you.
An attorney can gather evidence, tell you what your responsibilities are and, of course, they’ll talk with insurance companies to make sure you don’t get tricked out of a fair settlement.
3. Report the bite
This is something that also depends on the state you’re in. In some locations, you need to report the bite to animal control or local authorities so that they have written proof that such an incident took place.
Again, this is something your attorney can help out with.
Ways to Avoid Dog Bites
Now that you know what to do after a bite, let’s also take a look at how you can avoid getting bitten.
Don’t scare dogs
Even if a dog seems friendly, don’t take them by surprise. Approach them calmly, especially if they’re sleeping or if they don’t see you.
Children should also do the same and be taught to approach dogs gently and carefully and always under the supervision of parents.
Recognize signs
Dogs will usually let you know how they feel by their body language. If they’re growling or showing teeth, they’re probably not in the mood for company.
If they look tense and stiff, it can mean they’re experiencing some discomfort, so in these situations, it’s best to stay away.
Don’t provoke dogs
The same way you wouldn’t provoke a random passerby, don’t provoke a dog and cause them to misbehave. Some people tend to provoke dogs on purpose to get some sort of reaction from them but it’s definitely not a good idea as it can easily backfire.
Dealing with Dog Bites
If a dog bite happens, you now know what you have to do and what kind of steps to take. Hopefully, you won’t get into such a situation, but it never hurts to be prepared in advance.
The main thing to remember is to immediately visit a doctor and research a good dog bite lawyer. These two experts will be your best friends during the process.
And, as usual, people are the ones that provoke dogs and cause them to act aggressively. don’t turn these friendly creatures into rabid animals with your careless behaviour.
Treat them with respect, approach them carefully and you won’t have to worry about any unexpected incidents.