What Should I Do if I Have Been Bitten by a Dog?

About one in four people report being bitten by a dog at some point during their life. Most of these bites do not require medical treatment, but those that do can be devastatingly harmful, causing permanent disability and serious tissue damage that requires extensive surgical treatment. Tragically, some dog attacks even result in fatal injuries.

It is important to know what to do if you or a loved one have been attacked by a dog. Here are steps to take after a dog bite, including getting help from an experienced Texas dog bite attorney who can immediately conduct an investigation and help you get the compensation you deserve.

Get to Somewhere Safe

A dog that attacks is unpredictable and may not stop fighting. The first thing you need to do is get away from the dog and make sure the dog is not a present danger to yourself or anyone else. If the dog is continuing to roam freely or has not be restrained by its owner, call the police or get someone to call for you. If your bite is severe, call an ambulance and then call the police so you have immediate documentation of the incident.

Stop The Bleeding and Wash The Wound

The primary concern with dog bite injuries is that they will become infected. Contrary to the urban myth that dog mouths are cleaner than human mouths, dog mouths contain many kinds of dangerous bacteria that can quickly cause a serious infection. If you are still bleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth. If the bleeding is serious, get to an emergency room for treatment as soon as you can. If the bleeding has stopped, use mild soap and warm water to gently cleanse the wound.

Use Antibiotic Cream and Wrap the Wound

If you have antibiotic cream, apply it right away and then cover the wound with a sterile bandage. If the wound is serious enough to need stitches, or if you suspect a deep puncture wound, get further medical treatment as soon as you can. You may need a tetanus shot if you have not gotten one in the last five years.

Monitor for Infection

Dog bite wounds often become infected in the days following an incident. Signs of infection include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Fever
• Worsening pain
• Pus or other drainage from the wound
• Difficult moving the wounded area
  If you have a very high fever or experience shaking or night sweats, the infection may have spread from the wound to other parts of the body. It is essential to get medical treatment right away so this does not progress to a potentially fatal condition like sepsis.

Contact a Carrollton, TX Dog Bite Lawyer

In addition to the pain you feel and the expensive medical treatment you may need, getting bitten by a dog is one of the most terrifying experiences you may have ever had. To get help holding the dog’s owner responsible for your injuries, contact a Carrolton, TX dog bite attorney with Hartley Law Firm right away. We have experience conducting investigations, gathering evidence, and aggressively pursuing fair compensation for dog bite injuries. Call 469-289-6063 today.