How To Report A Dog Bite To Animal Control In Riverside County
Victims of a Riverside County dog bite need to know that they must report the incident to the Riverside County Department of Animal Services for their safety and the safety of others who could encounter the same dog. You can file your report by calling 951-358-7387 or completing this online form. Officials will investigate the incident and the animal involved to verify its health and determine if it has a history of biting and could be a safety concern. This single reporting system covers all of Riverside County, including the major cities of Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Temecula, Murrieta, Jurupa Valley, Hemet, and Palm Springs.
Suffering a dog bite or witnessing a loved one suffer an attack can be very stressful and upsetting. It is also not uncommon for first-time victims to have many questions about their obligation to report the incident, what information they must provide, and their rights as victims of a Riverside County dog bite. Please know that the talented and caring staff at DTLA Law Group is here to help you sort out all this information and protect your rights.
We ask that your primary focus after such a harrowing event is the safety of the Riverside County dog bite victim. Seeking medical care and a complete evaluation are vital after suffering a dog bite. Even a bite that appears insignificant could result in complications with a life-altering impact if an infection occurs. So, please tend to the medical needs of everyone involved before calling DTLA Law Group to address the other time-sensitive decisions you must make about filing a dog bite lawsuit. Our staff can be reached 24/7. We are glad to provide the reliable information you need today and schedule a free consultation to discuss the facts of your dog bite incident with a seasoned and successful Riverside Country dog bite lawyer.
![How To Report A Dog Bite To Animal Control In Riverside County lawyer attorney lawsuit liability](/wp-content/themes/yootheme/cache/7a/How-To-Report-A-Dog-Bite-To-Animal-Control-In-Riverside-County-lawyer-attorney-lawsuit-liability-7af8c4d9.png)
$2.5 Million
$2,287,495
$54 Million
$22 Million
$1.9 MIllion
$1.5 Million
$600,000
$1,975,000
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.
Basic First Aid And Care For A Riverside County Dog BiteCleaning 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.
What Is The Value Of A Riverside County Dog Bite Lawsuit?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.
You Deserve The Best Riverside County Dog Bite LawyerThe 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.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
How To Report A Dog Bite To Animal Control In San Diego County
How To Report A Dog Bite To Animal Control In LA County
How To Report A Dog Bite To Animal Control In San Bernardino County