Dogs are one of the most reliable and most adorable creatures on earth, and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hates dogs. Animals don’t understand or perceive threats the way humans do, and this is why sometimes their reactions are sudden or unpredictable... It’s not common for dogs to randomly attack someone, but when they do, they can wreak havoc. We’ll go over a few things that you should be aware of in case you’re caught off-guard.

Short-term reaction

If you’ve been attacked by a dog, there are a few things you need to do. Start by applying a clean towel over the bite to stop the bleeding. Afterwards, make sure that you either apply some medication directly on the wound. Don’t forget to apply a sterile bandage over the wound in order to cover it. Antibiotics are necessary for avoiding complications if there are any signs of an infection (puss, redness, swelling). While doing all that, make sure you keep the wounded area elevated at all times.

Proper Healing

The proper healing time for a dog bite ranges between one week to a month. When you are still under wound observation you should not focus on anything other than your recovery. The legal work can wait until your wound gets better. There is nothing much you can do in this state, but focus on your state of health, keep an eye out for any complications, and trying not to make the injury worse.

Long-term reaction

Once you’re back in good health, you should move on to making sure that you cover all legal ground. Before taking any legal action you should check with the dog owner (if there is one), if they are willing to cover your medical expenses or at least offer you dog bite compensation. You should know that any dog bite victim has legal right to pursue a civil lawsuit and, in some situations, a criminal lawsuit. If the owner is not willing to give you any support, you can then go to a legal power. Can you sue a person for a dog bite? Yes, you can. The law states that the owner of any dog is liable for damages if the damages were caused by a dog bite and if the person bitten was in a public place or lawfully in a private place. The most recommended course of action is hiring a lawyer before you begin any legal processes. Keep in mind that less than 1% of dog bite victims get compensated, so hiring a lawyer will be of great help to your case.

Be aware, know your rights

Dog attacks can leave you shocked and not many people are exactly aware of what they should be doing after one, especially under stress. Whenever you encounter such a problem, as rare as it is, carefully take care of your wound then legally ask for your rights. Dogs are a part of our daily lives. Dogs have rights just like we do, so next time you encounter a problem with a dog, keep in mind that they are not really aware of the damage they can cause.