Getting bitten by a neighbor’s dog, or a dog with a clear owner is scary enough. But getting bitten by a stray dog can be both more frightening and more legally complex. In this blog post, we will discuss what to do if you are attacked by a seemly stray/unattended dog and what your legal rights are after such an encounter.
5 Steps To Take After A Stray Dog Attack in Washington State–And What To Do About Stray Dogs
Stray dogs are literally a different kind of beast than a trained dog with an owner. Here are our best tips for what to do about an aggressive stray dog, before and after an attack.- Do not approach stray dogs. Stray dogs may be rabid, sick, hurt, hungry, abused, scared, traumatized, anxious, or protecting puppies. All of these possibilities mean that they could be prone to attack, even if they are not “bad” dogs. Animal Control officers are specially trained and have special tools for helping these animals.
- After an attack, try to keep track of the animal. Containing the stray is important to verifying if the animal is sick and also to verify if it has an owner. In addition, tracking the animal until Animal Control can collect it can prevent others from being injured. With that in mind, don’t try to contain the animal if you are hurt, and don’t endanger others in order to keep the dog contained.
- Seek medical care immediately. Even if your wounds do not look serious, you should seek medical attention from a doctor. Stray dogs can carry diseases like rabies, and getting rabies shots may be required after your bite. In addition, stray dog attacks can lead to infections, due to the bacteria found in dog saliva. On a legal level, documenting you injuries is also important.
- Talk to a dog bite attorney. Even if you aren’t sure if you have a case, talking to a dog bite attorney can make certain that you know your rights and get the compensation that you deserve. It can also give you peace of mind that you took all necessary actions after an injury incident.