You know how much I LOVE DOGS, but I often get asked what should be done after a dog bite. Most people who own dogs will, at some point, be bitten by a dog. Most of the time, these bites aren’t serious, but playful – in many cases, the skin won’t even be broken.
That being said, there’s no denying that some dog bites can be very serious. You could be bitten by your own dog if they get a fright, or you may be out walking and be attacked by someone else’s dog. Either way, you need to know what to do if you ever find yourself in this situation, so keep reading to learn more.
Decide what action you want to take
There are a few courses of action that you can take after a dog bite, and you will need to choose the method that feels right for you. You could choose to let it go, or you can take active steps – for example, if your dog bit you, you may want to send them for training to prevent it from happening again. If the dog that bit you is someone else’s dog and it’s a very serious bit, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit, in which case you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer.
Seek medical attention
Naturally, the first thing you should do if you are bitten by a dog is to seek medical attention. While at-home treatment is a great option for immediate treatment, you shouldn’t rely solely on that, but rather see a professional as soon as possible.
Even if the wound isn’t very deep or painful, you need to get checked out since the dog may have rabies or the wound could get infected. So, it’s better to err on the side of caution in this situation. Consider therapy
Consider seeing a therapist?
This won’t be necessary for everyone, but the truth is that dog bites can be very traumatic, especially if you were the victim of a vicious attack.
This means that your mental health may be harmed. Many people who experience this type of trauma may experience feelings of anxiety, depression, or PTSD. If you feel that the dog bite has negatively affected your mental health, don’t hesitate to seek out a therapist to help you cope with your trauma. There are loads of other benefits of therapy as well, so it’s definitely something to look into.
Keep records of everything
Finally, you may find it helpful to keep records of everything that happened after the dog bite, especially if you decide to take the legal route, as you may need evidence of the event, and you will also need to document what occurred.
Keep backups of any contact with the dog owner, place your medical records in a filing system, and take photos of your dog bite. Again, this step isn’t necessary, as it will depend on your situation, but if you do decide to pursue legal action, this will be a big help.
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