What to do After Being Bitten by a Dog

A dog attack or dog bite can be a terrifying experience. If you or your child is bitten by a dog, protect your health and legal rights by taking the following steps.

See a doctor right away, especially if you do not know the animal’s owner. If it is after hours, or your doctor is not available, seek emergency medical attention if you are bitten by a dog. It’s saliva can contain bacteria that could be harmful, leading to infections that would exacerbate an otherwise minor injury.

Report the dog attack and/or bite to the authorities. In the City of Toronto, Animal Services will walk you through the process and assist in preparing a written complaint, including taking witness statements and initiating an investigation. Do your best to give a clear description of the animal and its last known location, including the owner’s information if you have it.

If you know the dog’s owner, try to get contact details for the animal’s veterinarian and confirm that it has up to date vaccination records.

Document your injury as soon as possible. Take photographs of the bite, and make notes about what happened, to the best of your recollection. If you are considering a legal claim against the dog’s owner, you may also wish to keep a diary of your recovery to track your progress. Ensure that you sign and date any written records.

Legal representation after being bitten by a dog

Taking these steps helps build a reliable evidentiary record about what happened, which can be used to support a claim for compensation. The final thing you should do is contact a lawyer with experience handling dog bite claims on behalf of victims.

Jasmine Daya & Co. has been representing injured plaintiffs for over forty years, helping them obtain full and fair compensation for their injuries. We offer Free Consultations to new clients, to discuss your case and review your legal options.

Contact us online or call our office to make an appointment at 416-967-9100.