How To Report A Dog Bite To Animal Control In Riverside County

Over 57% of California households have one or more dogs. So, most people are very used to seeing and interacting with these animals regularly. They also know that rough play or overexcitement can result in a nip or minor dog bite. However, they are not well aware of the help concerns and safety risks that accompany even a minor dog bite that occurs while playing with a family pet or dog they know very well. 

It is critical to understand that man’s best friend carries bacteria that can be deadly to humans. A dog’s saliva contains bacteria that can result in strep, staph, or cellulitis infections. These contaminants are present in all dog saliva, even when the animal is in perfect health and has had all required shots. However, it is not a concern because these bacteria do not threaten the dog’s body. In addition, dogs that are not properly immunized could carry rabies, which is detrimental to the dog and any human it bites. 

Finally, everyone should understand that it only takes a drop of saliva or less entering a break in the skin for a human to suffer one of these painful and possibly life-threatening infections. For that reason, it is essential for any dog bite to be thoroughly cleaned and evaluated by a medical professional. Keep in mind, even if it was your dog that bit you, they are not going to be taken away unless they are sick and pose a safety and health risk to you and themselves. So, please get the medical care needed for any dog bite in Riverside County. 

Cleaning the dog bite wound immediately is the best way to prevent infection and complications. If the bite is minor, you can clean the wound yourself or get help from a friend or family member. However, it is still advised to have it evaluated by a medical professional. If the wound is deep, bleeding excessively, or you are alone and need help to clean or dress the wound, call 911 for assistance if you cannot get to a medical facility quickly.

Cleaning a dog bite wound is very simple, but it will take time and care to complete the task properly. These steps will provide the best potential for eliminating the risk of an infection:

• Use warm water to flush the wound and surrounding area for five to ten minutes 
• Next, carefully clean the wound and surrounding area with a mild soap and rinse again with warm water
• If needed, apply gentle pressure with a clean bandage to stop any bleeding 
• Once the bleeding is stopped or minimal, apply antibiotic cream to the wound and cover it with a clean, dry bandage 
• Keep the wound area clean and dry while monitoring it for several days for indications of infection that could include increased pain, swelling, redness, or discharge from the wound area or the victim begins to run a fever 
• If you notice any signs of infection, seek immediate medical care 

Immediately after suffering a dog bite, the priority should always be the health and safety of the victim and others in the area if the dog remains aggressive or could bite another person. However, once safety is addressed, it is wise to gather information that could be beneficial to the victim if they are forced to file a Riverside County dog bite lawsuit. The information could also be very helpful when filing the dog bite report with Riverside Country. 

• Get photos of the dog bite wound and other injuries as soon after the incident as possible to document the damage
• Get pictures of the dog if possible and make a detailed description including the breed, color, size, distinguishing markings, or other features like the collar or tags on the dog
• Contact the dog’s owner if you know them, or list the owner’s name and contact information if they are not present 
• Gather contact information and a brief statement from any witnesses of the dog bite incident 
• Continue to take pictures of the injuries or wounds if the appearance changes in the coming days, and make a list of any other issues you experience, such as back or neck pain or a headache, that could indicate additional injuries that were not immediately visible
• Maintain a list of all work hours missed or lost income as a result of the injuries and for the time taken to attend medical treatment for the wounds 
• Keep all medical records, invoices, and receipts related to the care of your injuries 

If you were bitten by someone else’s dog, it seems unfair to think that you are responsible for the cost of your medical care and other expenses. That is also how the state views these unfortunate events. California is a strict liability state regarding dogs. The owner is almost always financially responsible for any damage or injuries caused by their dog. These laws apply to dog bites that occur on public and private property as long as the victim is legally on the property. 

The only exceptions that eliminate the dog owner’s liability are when the victim is illegally on the property or was abusing or hurting the dog at the time of the dog bite. As an example, the dog owner is not responsible for medical bills if the dog bite victim was beating or abusing the dog and provoked the instinct to bite as the dog tried to protect itself. Likewise, the owner is not liable if an intruder is breaking into their home and their dog bites the person who is illegally entering the house. 

The value of any lawsuit is independently determined by evaluating the losses and expenses incurred by the victim. In most dog bite lawsuits, the compensation will include:

• All medical costs 
• Lost income or wages 
• The replacement value of any personal property that was destroyed or damaged in the incident 
• The cost of your legal services 

In California, personal injury victims, such as dog bite victims, have two years from the date of the incident to file a claim with the court. If the case is not in the hands of the court within two years, the victim forfeits the right to pursue legal action against the dog owner for that specific event. Please also understand that the sooner you contact DTLA Law Group to discuss the matter, the faster the case can be resolved. Outside factors such as the court’s workload and the action of the defendant will also impact how long it takes to resolve your Riverside County dog bite lawsuit. 

The dog bite lawyers at DTLA Law Group bring decades of combined expertise to each case they handle. This allows them to resolve cases promptly and with robust compensation. You will also be pleased to learn that our firm never charges upfront fees that could add to your financial hardship. We only get paid after you get paid the compensation owed to you that includes money to pay your legal fees and expenses. And you owe us nothing if we fail to win your dog bite lawsuit. Please do not hesitate to contact our staff today to learn more about how to report your Riverside County dog bite and secure the compensation that is owed to you. 

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