Have you been bitten by a dog?

The steps you take following a dog attack can play an important role in protecting both your health and your legal rights.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even small puncture wounds can become infected. Prompt medical treatment is essential to reduce the risk of complications and document your injuries.

Identify the Dog and Owner

If possible, obtain the owner's name, address, phone number, and homeowner's or renter's insurance information. Also determine whether the dog is current on its rabies vaccinations.

Report the Attack

Notify your local animal control agency or law enforcement. An official report creates documentation of the incident and may help prevent future attacks.

Photograph Your Injuries

Take photographs immediately after the attack and continue documenting the healing process throughout your recovery.

Preserve Medical Records

Keep copies of emergency room records, medical bills, prescriptions, surgical reports, therapy records, and photographs of your injuries.

Gather Witness Information

If anyone witnessed the attack, obtain their names and contact information. Independent witnesses can provide valuable evidence.

Contact the Law Office of Ruben Ruiz. 

An attorney can investigate the circumstances of the attack, preserve evidence, communicate with insurance companies, and help protect your right to compensation.

Don't Ignore the Injury

Even minor bites can lead to serious infections, nerve damage, or permanent scarring if left untreated.

Don't Delay Medical Treatment

Waiting to receive medical care may affect both your recovery and your injury claim.

Don't Assume You're Responsible

Insurance companies may attempt to argue that you provoked the dog or were otherwise responsible. Allow the facts to be investigated before making statements regarding fault.

Don't Accept a Quick Insurance Settlement

Early settlement offers often fail to account for future medical treatment, plastic surgery, emotional trauma, or permanent scarring.

Don't Post About the Incident on Social Media

Photos or comments posted online may later be used to challenge your claim.

Don't Throw Away Evidence

Preserve torn clothing, photographs, medical records, receipts, and any correspondence related to the attack.

Don't Attempt to Handle the Claim Alone

Dog bite claims often involve homeowners' insurance policies and complex legal issues. An experienced attorney can help protect your rights and pursue fair compensation.

Dog attacks can happen in neighborhoods, parks, apartment complexes, businesses, and even in the homes of friends or family members. While many dogs are well-behaved, inadequate supervision, irresponsible ownership, or failure to properly restrain a dog can lead to serious injuries.

Some of the most common circumstances leading to dog bite injuries include:

• Dogs escaping from fenced yards or homes
• Dogs not properly leashed in public
• Aggressive or territorial behavior
• Failure to control a known dangerous dog
• Attacks while walking or jogging
• Delivery personnel or service providers entering private property
• Children interacting with unfamiliar dogs
• Multiple-dog attacks
• Dog owners failing to warn visitors about aggressive animals.

Dog attacks frequently result in serious injuries, including:

• Deep puncture wounds
• Lacerations requiring stitches
• Nerve damage
• Facial injuries and permanent scarring
• Broken bones from falls during the attack
• Eye injuries
• Hand and arm injuries
• Infections
• Emotional trauma and anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Permanent disfigurement
• Wrongful death in severe cases

Children are especially vulnerable to serious dog bite injuries because of their smaller size and the likelihood of injuries to the face, head, and neck.