Dogs are a man's best friend and a very popular choice for a house pet. When kept as a pet, the boundaries are often blurred, and a dog becomes just like a member of the family. However, with even the most trained and tamed dogs, one should never forget their animal instinct. You can never predict when things may go wrong, causing a dog to react violently and bite.
This happens more frequently than we may think. In the United States, 4.5 million dog bites occur every year, making this a matter of concern. While many know how to handle a dog as a pet, most are not educated on how to deal with dog bites, especially on the legal front.
Knowing what happens after reporting a dog bite is essential in case of an unprecedented emergency. If you wish to learn about what happens after a dog bite is reported, this article will talk about all the main steps you need to know about.
A dog bite attorney is contacted
Each state deals with dog bites differently but what is common among all is the presence of laws and regulations the specifically deal with the matter. Because they are a common phenomenon, there are extensive state-level laws that protect dog owners as well as those bitten.
So, once a dog bite has occurred and has been reported, a relevant dog bite attorney is approached. If you live in, let’s say Orange County, CA, you can contact the best dog bite attorney in Orange County and engage one for your needs. An attorney helps you get the compensation you are entitled to based on the situation as well as the county laws. They are also fully equipped to deal with insurance companies to strike a settlement with the other party.
The dog is quarantined
Once a dog bite report has been filled and a dog bite attorney hired, the case goes into investigation. The dog is put under quarantine until the case is opened up for examination. When placing the dog under quarantine, animal control can be called to test the dog for rabies and if it's vaccinated or not.
Once this is checked, the dog is restricted to the owner's house and yard if available. It is also prohibited from coming into contact with another person. While the case is being investigated, the dog can also be taken away from the owner and sent to a shelter under two conditions. Either if the owner breaks the rule of quarantine or if the dog is posing as a significant threat.
The dog bite case is investigated
Once everything is in place, the investigation is carried out by the local animal control authority. This is an extensive investigation that is conducted by speaking to both the victim as well as the owner of the dog. Interviews are scheduled where each and every detail of the incident is recorded. Information is also exchanged to determine the exact details, including interviews with potential witnesses.
In order to go through the investigation smoothly, the victim is always advised to document all occurrences in full detail. This is so that their dog bite lawyer in Oxnard has all the decisive evidence they need to win the case for the victim. The victim should always immediately write down everything that took place so that no information is missed out on. Photographs of the crime scene, as well as the injuries, should also be properly documented as they come in handy during the investigation. Other than this, the dog is properly tested for rabies or other diseases. If rabies is detected, the outcome of the investigation is different and often could result in euthanization.
Parting thoughts
Most dog owners often forget that while a pet can be trained and tamed, they still run the risk of becoming aggressive for multiple reasons. Usually, people do not know what steps to take when that happens. If a dog bite occurs, you should first seek medical attention immediately.
Once that is out, you need to report the case. Once the case is reported, it goes through the steps mentioned above. However, it is essential to note that each country or state follows its own rules and regulations when it comes to dog bites, so it would be helpful to check in with the local authorities to determine the exact procedure.
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