Many dogs are friendly. They’ll come up to you, wagging their tail and asking to be petted. But others will bite. This happens for several reasons — like they think they’re defending their property. This is why mail carriers are among the most that wind up being bitten.
Has that happened to you? Before you search online for a dog bite lawyer in Detroit, you should know the other things you should do if you’ve been bitten by a dog.
Wash the Wound
Just like our mouths, dogs’ mouths have a lot of bacteria in them. You don’t want to have those bacteria in your bloodstream. Clean out the wounded area. You can use a sink or even water from a water bottle to wash out the area.
Stop or Slow the Bleeding
Get a clean cloth and stop or slow down the bleeding. Firmly hold the cloth over the bitten area until the bleeding is at a minimum or has stopped.
Put an Antibiotic Cream
Once the bleeding is under control or has stopped, you can then apply an antibiotic ointment to the area. This can help prevent infection and also help with the healing.
Get Medical Attention
A doctor can inspect the bite area and determine how deep it is. You may need to get a tetanus shot depending on the last time you got a booster. This will also start a documentation trail if you need to file a claim.
Report the Incident
Now is when you get the authorities involved. There are a few options, including contacting your local police station or an animal control agency. They can look deeper into the situation and see if the dog has been recently vaccinated or not. You can help this investigation by identifying the dog and its owner.
Document Everything
This is where seeing the doctor beforehand was important. You will have proof that you got medical help for a dog bite. Explain everything, including the events that led up to the whole incident. This will help the investigating authorities.
Once this is done, you can contact an attorney about getting any compensation. You may have had to miss a lot of time from work, depending on how severe the injury was. Talk to them and show them all the documentation. You could use your smartphone to take photos of the wound to show how severe it was.
Your attorney will work with you to make sure that you file everything that you need to before any deadlines. They will work to get you all the compensation that you deserve. Then you’ll be able to move on with your life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, being bitten by a dog can be a traumatic experience, but it is important to stay calm and take appropriate action. Start by assessing the severity of the bite and seeking medical attention if necessary.
Report the incident to local authorities or animal control to ensure that the dog is properly evaluated and prevent future incidents. Follow up with your healthcare provider for any necessary treatment or preventative measures such as rabies vaccination.
Lastly, remember to always approach dogs cautiously and respectfully, and teach children about proper behavior around animals. Together, we can work towards creating safer communities for both humans and animals alike.