Cowlitz County

By: Capital Injury Law

Why Dogs Bite and What to Do After a Dog Bite Injury

For many, dogs are considered to be man’s best friend, but what do we do when you have to deal with a dog bite?

There are times when even our furry friends can become aggressive and bite us or someone else. According to the Center for Disease Control, it is estimated that 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs each year, with over 800,000 of those bites requiring medical attention. So why do dogs bite people? Let’s take a look at some of the common causes of dog bites. 

Being attacked by an animal is a terrifying experience, and it can leave physical and emotional scars. If you’ve been injured by a dog bite, there are several steps that you should take to protect your legal rights. Dog bites are no laughing matter. If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog, it’s important to understand the steps you need to take in order to seek proper medical attention and treatment. Let’s break it down. Here’s what to do after a dog bite injury and when to contact Capital Injury Law for assistance.

Fear-Based Aggression Dog Bite

One of the most common reasons for dog bites is fear-based aggression. When a dog feels threatened or scared from a particular situation, they may lash out and bite as a way to protect themselves from what they perceive as danger. This type of aggression can often be seen in rescue dogs who have had traumatic experiences in their past or have been poorly socialized as puppies.  

Dog Bite

Territorial Aggression Dog Bite

Another reason for dog bites is territorial aggression which occurs when a dog feels that their territory has been invaded and needs to protect it from an intruder—real or perceived. Territorial aggression can occur anytime an unfamiliar person enters their home or yard or if they feel like someone is trying to take away something that belongs to them such as food or toys.

Protective Aggression Dog Bite

Finally, we have protective aggression which occurs when a pup feels like someone close to them—their family or another pet—is being threatened in any way shape or form. Protective aggression is often seen in animals who are very loyal and attached to their owners but it can also occur if the animal feels like another pet or person is being treated unfairly or given too much attention by its owner.

No matter what kind of breed you own, it’s important to remember that all animals have the potential for aggressive behavior if not trained properly and given enough attention and love by their owners.

Understanding why dogs bite people will help us better prepare ourselves for any situations where our furry friends might act out due to fear, stress, lack of resources, etc., so we can avoid any serious injury from occurring in the future! Or if you find yourself facing an aggressive canine.

By understanding the three main reasons why dogs bite—fear-based aggression, territorial aggression, protective aggression—we can start taking steps towards creating a more harmonious relationship between humans and our beloved four-legged companions!

Dog Bite

Seek Medical Attention Right Away

The first step after being bitten by a dog is assessing the severity of the injury. This will help determine how urgent medical attention may be needed and whether or not you should go to the emergency room. Minor injuries such as scrapes, puncture wounds, and bruises may not require urgent care, but any deep lacerations or bleeding should be treated immediately as these can quickly become infected if left untreated. It is also important to note that even if there are no visible signs of infection, medical attention should still be sought as some infections do not show symptoms until several days later. 

Get the treatment you need immediately, even if it doesn’t seem serious. Some injuries like muscle strain or nerve damage may not show up right away, so it’s important to get checked out as soon as possible. This also creates a record of your injury in case you need to seek legal action down the road. Once it has been determined that medical treatment is necessary, it is important to contact a physician right away.

Depending on the severity of your injury, this could involve going directly to an emergency room or scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor or an urgent care facility. Regardless of where you receive treatment, make sure to inform your physician about all relevant details surrounding the incident including where it took place, when it happened and who owned the dog so they can properly assess your injury and provide adequate treatment options for you moving forward. 

After receiving initial treatment for your injury, subsequent follow up appointments with your physician may be necessary depending on the severity of your bite wound and how well it responds to treatment initially provided. It is also important to keep all documentation related to the incident such as reports from animal control officers or other relevant parties for potential legal proceedings down the line if necessary.

Document Everything

It’s important that you document everything related to your injury, including any photos of the injury, witness statements, and police reports if applicable. This will help strengthen your case if you decide to pursue legal action against the owner of the dog that bit you. In addition, make sure all of your medical records are up-to-date and keep detailed notes on any treatments or medications related to the injury.

Dog Bite

Contact Us at Capital Injury Law

Dog bites are no joke, as they can cause serious injury that requires immediate medical attention in order for proper healing and recovery time afterwards. If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog, make sure all relevant details surrounding the incident are documented before seeking medical treatment at either an emergency room or urgent care facility depending on severity of injury sustained.

Subsequent follow up appointments may also be necessary in order for full recovery time afterwards so make sure all paperwork related to incident is kept safe for potential legal proceedings if needed down the line. Taking proactive steps such as these can help ensure that proper steps are taken when seeking medical attention after a dog bite occurs so swift healing and recovery can occur afterwards without any major complications arising from neglecting initial treatments received initially following incident itself.

At Capital Injury Law, we specialize in personal injury cases involving animal attacks. We understand how traumatic this experience can be and our experienced attorneys are committed to helping you recover damages for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and more. We will handle all aspects of your case from start to finish so that you can focus on healing from your injuries without worrying about taking on the legal system alone.

Regardless of how serious the attack was, it is important that you take necessary precautions such as seeking medical attention and documenting everything related to the incident in order to protect yourself legally. If you or someone close to you have been injured by a dog bite or other animal attack, contact us at Capital Injury Law right away for experienced counsel on how best to proceed with filing a claim against those responsible for damages incurred due to their negligence or intentional act of violence.. We’re here for every step of your journey towards justice!

Contact us today for a free consultation.

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