How To Report A Dog Bite To Animal Control In San Diego County

Many people are unaware that all dog saliva contains bacteria that can be harmful to humans. Even healthy dogs with current immunizations carry bacteria in their saliva that can cause significant infections in humans, such as staph, strep, cellulitis, or rabies. And it only takes a microscopic amount of saliva entering the human body to create an infection. 

Even if you feel the dog bite you suffered was insignificant and barely broke a single layer of skin, the area must be thoroughly cleaned and should be examined by a medical professional. In addition, you are required to report the incident to the county for your protection and that of others who could encounter the same dog but suffer more severe harm. 

If you suffer a severe dog bite or one that is bleeding heavily, call 911 for emergency medical treatment. In addition, if you are alone when you suffer a dog bite, it is wise to call 911 to ensure there is someone to provide the care you need to clean and dress the wound. If you have someone to assist you in cleaning a minor dog bite, these are the steps to follow to reduce the possibility of an infection:

• Flush the wound with warm water for at least five minutes
• Clean the wound and surrounding area with mild soap and warm water
• Use a clean bandage and gentle pressure to stop any bleeding
• Coat the wound with antibiotic cream and cover the area with a clean bandage 
• Monitor for signs of an infection that can include a fever, increased pain, swelling, or redness in the area of the wound – if you notice any of these indicators, seek immediate emergency medical treatment 

Even if you know the owner of the dog that bit you, gathering some general information that could become beneficial later is prudent. You need to have the incident documented in case the dog’s owner becomes unresponsive or refuses to cover the cost of your medical expenses or losses due to the dog bite. Be sure to gather:

• Pictures of the wound and any other injuries caused during the dog bite incident as soon as possible after they occur and as the appearance of the wound changes
• A list of any other pain or discomfort you feel that could indicate additional injuries that cannot be seen, such as a headache, stiff neck, or back ache
• Contact information and statements from any witnesses to the incident 
• A picture of the dog or a detailed description including the size, breed, color, identifying marks, collar, tags, etc.
• The name and contact information for the dog’s owner, if possible 
• All medical documentation and receipts for care related to the dog bite or other injuries caused during the incident 
• A list of all time missed from work due to the incident or medical care for the injuries you suffered 

In California, dog owners are typically responsible for any harm or damage caused by their pets. The only exceptions to this responsibility are in cases where the victim is illegally on the property where they bit or they were abusing or hurting the dog when they were bitten. For example, you are not responsible for the injuries of a person breaking into your home and being bitten by your dog, nor are you liable if a person is on your property and harming your dog. However, in all other cases, the strict liability applies in public spaces as well as on private property. 

The value of each lawsuit is unique because it is based on the losses and harm incurred by the victim. Your DTLA Law Group dog bite lawyer will help you compile all your allowable expenses and losses to determine the value of your lawsuit. The items that are most often included in a dog bite lawsuit claim are:

• All current medical expenses and estimated future medical costs to treat the dog bite injuries 
• Your lost income or wages if you were unable to work
• The replacement cost of personal property damaged in the incident 
• Your legal expenses 
• In some cases, pain and suffering will be financially compensated 

As the victim of a dog bite, you have two years from the date of the incident to file your claim with the court. If the case is not in the hands of the court within that time, you will lose the right to pursue legal action against the dog owner for the harm caused in that particular event. Please get in touch with DTLA Law Group to discuss the facts of your case with a dog bite lawyer to verify the time remaining to file your case.

The staff at DTLA Law Group will work diligently to complete your dog bite lawsuit as swiftly as possible. However, factors beyond our control will impact how long it takes to complete the case. The court’s workload and the defendant’s actions are two facets of the lawsuit that will significantly impact the timeline. Please contact our dog bite experts today to discuss your case at a free consultation and refine the timeline to resolve the lawsuit. 

When you reach out to DTLA Law Group, you will quickly recognize the expertise and experience of our staff in handling these cases quickly and for the most compensation possible for our clients. Our staff is dedicated to getting you the funds to allow you to move past this traumatic event, and we are ready to take on the case without the need for any upfront payments. Instead, we only get paid after the case is completed and you have the compensation to cover all expenses. Finally, you owe us nothing if we fail to win your San Diego County dog bite lawsuit and deliver the money needed to cover your losses and expenses. 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to DTLA Law Group today to learn more about your obligation to report a dog bite and how our staff can help you move forward with a lawsuit to secure the compensation that is owed to you. We are here 24/7 to help and your consultation with a skilled dog bite lawyer is always free. 

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