If your child is bitten by a neighbor’s dog, it is crucial to take the right actions to care for them, address liability issues, and prevent future incidents. Here are some important steps to take if your neighbor’s dog bites your child.
Tend to Your Child’s Injuries
The first priority after a dog bite is tending to your child’s physical injuries. Depending on the severity of the bite, this may require:
- Cleaning the wound. Use mild soap and warm water to gently cleanse the bite area and remove saliva or debris. Do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol which can damage tissue.
- Stopping bleeding. Apply direct pressure to any bleeding with a clean towel or cloth. Raise the injured area above the heart, if possible, to slow blood flow.
- Covering the wound. Use a sterile bandage or clean cloth to cover the wound and prevent infection after cleaning.
- Immobilizing the injury. For bites on the hand, arm or leg, gently immobilize the injured limb to prevent further damage.
- Getting professional medical care. Take your child to a doctor immediately, especially if the bite is severe, won’t stop bleeding, or might require stitches. Inform your doctor that it was an animal bite to check for infections like rabies.
Follow your doctor’s instructions for wound care, pain medication, antibiotics, tetanus shot, and any other treatments required for proper healing. Monitor for signs of infection like increased swelling, redness, oozing or fever.
Speak with the Dog’s Owner
Speak with the owner of the dog that bit them. Try to remain calm and civil as you discuss the incident. The goal should be exchanging information and agreeing on the next steps, not placing blame. Important things to cover include:
- Getting details on what happened. Allow the owner to share their perspective on the incident.
- Exchanging contact and insurance information. This ensures you have what you need to follow up later regarding medical expenses or liability claims.
- Finding out if the dog’s rabies vaccine is up to date. This is critical information you’ll need to share with your child’s doctor.
- Discussing who will cover medical bills. Ideally the owner’s home insurance will cover your child’s medical costs, but details need to be worked out.
- Agreeing on action regarding the dog. At minimum, the owner should agree to keep the dog secured while the details are sorted out. Other options like muzzling, additional training or rehoming may need to be discussed.
Keep the conversation as cooperative as possible. But be firm in communicating that the dog must be controlled to prevent any future injuries to neighborhood children.
Report the Incident
To establish a record of the incident and ensure the appropriate authorities are aware, you’ll need to file reports about the dog bite in multiple places:
- Animal control. Report the bite to your local animal control department or humane authorities. Provide details like the dog’s description, where it lives, past incidents, etc. They will investigate and may require actions like quarantining the dog.
- Health department. Contact your local health department to report the bite. Give them information about the dog’s rabies vaccine status which will guide their recommendation for your child getting post-exposure treatment.
- File a police report about the incident, especially if the owner is uncooperative or uncertain about liability. Having an official report will help ensure your child’s medical expenses are covered either through the owner or your own insurance.
Filing reports creates a paper trail that may aid any legal action if necessary, while also alerting authorities to a potentially dangerous dog in your community.
Consult a Lawyer if Needed
If the owner refuses to cooperate in covering your child’s medical bills or controlling their dog, you may need to take legal action. A lawyer can help navigate laws and processes related to dog bites, including:
- Suing the owner for damages related to medical costs, pain and suffering resulting from the bite.
- Reporting the dangerous dog to legal authorities if the owner refuses to control it. Your area may have statutes regarding enforcement, muzzling, restraint or euthanasia in such cases.
- Providing evidence like veterinary records, police reports, medical bills and photographs to support your case and establish liability.
- Negotiating a settlement or taking the matter to court if a trial becomes necessary.
While sincere cooperation should be the priority, sometimes legal assistance becomes essential to enforce responsibility after a dog bite injury. Consult an experienced lawyer for advice and representation.
Getting bitten by a neighbor’s dog can be a frightening ordeal for a child. By taking the right steps for medical care, reporting the incident to authorities, cooperating with the owner and prioritizing your child’s recovery, you can ensure proper resolution and healing after a dog bite injury. While traumatic, with care and time the wounds will mend, and your child can regain their health, confidence and trust.
If a dog bit your child and caused an injury, get in touch with us. You can visit our office at 6671 Southwest Freeway Suite 220, Houston, TX 77074.
Call us today for a free consultation on (713) 231-0194.