While dogs can be seen as part of the family, it is important to remember that they can be vicious. While it might be difficult to see any dog as harmful, you should not try to approach a dog you are not familiar with or have permission to be around. However, there are many cases where a dog is off the leash or has been trained to attack.
These dogs should not be left to roam the streets and should be kept on a leash. When this does not happen, injuries can occur and someone needs to be held liable. You will need to enlist the help of a New Jersey dog bite attorney if you have been attacked by a dog. There are some steps you will need to keep in mind after a dog attack.
Tell the owner
Dogs should be kept on their leashes when they are outside of their home and if they are not the owner needs to be held accountable. If the owner is with the dog and witnessed the incident they may offer help immediately. Other times, they may not be so willing to accept responsibility for their negligence.
In either case, you will need to obtain their contact information as this will be necessary for your New Jersey dog bite attorney in the future. You will need their name, telephone number, and address to start. It is also important not to become aggressive towards the dog owner but to calmly inform them of the incident.
Seek medical attention
No matter how small you may think your injuries are, you will need to seek medical attention. Dogs carry many different diseases than humans do and while you may think it was a small bite or scratch, it can lead to rabies or other illnesses. You will need to contact 911 emergency services to get medical attention and documentation of the accident.
Once you have received emergency medical care, you will need to ensure you attend follow-up visits for the best medical treatment for your injuries. This is especially important if you sustained a serious injury. Your New Jersey dog bite attorney can guide you on the medical process and the best route to take.
Documentation is key
Without evidence and documentation tying the dog to your attack, it may be difficult or nearly impossible to obtain compensation for your injuries. While the scene of the attack can be confusing and chaotic, it is important to gather as much documentation as possible. You should take pictures of the accident, the dog that attacked you, and your injuries. You should also make note of the breed of dog, size, and color. If possible find out the name of the dog as you may need this to identify them later.
Call animal control
In some cases, you will need to contact animal control on your own, while in others the hospital may do this for you. It is important to give only essential information and not go into details when filing these reports without the guidance of a New Jersey dog bite attorney. Some people are often scared to report these incidents to animal control as they fear the dog will be put down. While this may be true in some cases it is not always the outcome. There are several factors that go into determining whether or not a dog will be put down after a dog attack.
Hire a New Jersey Dog Bite Attorney
In most cases, dog owners will have two defenses they can pursue, the first being that you were trespassing and the second being you provoked the dog. If you were on public property such as a street, sidewalk or park then the first defense is immediately thrown out.
However, provocation is tricky, this can also become harder to fight if you become aggressive with the dog owner following the attack. Try to stay as calm as possible and call the authorities immediately to report the dog bite. Then call Kwartler Manus LLC at (267) 457-5570 to discuss the details of your case.