Victim of an Orange County Dog Bite? Here’s How You Should Handle It

It seems like today, pets are more popular than ever. Many households consider a dog to be not only a pet, but also a member of the family. In fact, there are over 78 million pet dogs in the United States. Most dogs are friendly and docile, so it’s easy to forget that they are still animals, and animals do bite. Some dogs are more prone to biting than others; some dog breeds are even banned in certain areas because of their propensity to bite.

Dog bites can cause serious injuries and infection. Not many people know what to do after they have been bitten by a dog. However, educating yourself on what to do after a dog bite can minimize long-term effects of the bite, and possibly even prevent death.

If you ever are the victim of a dog bite in Orange County, you should:

• Stay Calm. Being bitten often is very scary. Many victims panic after being bitten, which can make the situation worse. As much as possible, stay levelheaded to help keep the situation under control.
• Assess the situation. Determine the severity of the bite. If the bite is severe, call 911 and let the paramedics handle it. If it is minor, clean it and seek medical attention.
• Gather information. Obtain the names and addresses of witnesses, the dog owner, and the people who had custody of the dog when you were bitten. This information will be beneficial if you need to build a case. Also, be sure to take pictures of the injuries the bite may have caused.
• Report the incident. All Orange County dog bites should be reported to Orange County Animal Control. With all dog bites, there is a rabies observation period.
• Get representation. If you have been bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation. Whether you settle with an insurance company or go to court, an experienced Orange County dog bite lawyer at Russell & Lazarus can help. Call us at (949) 851-0222 for your free case consultation.