What to Do if a Dog Bites Your Child

While dogs are man’s best friend for many people, a child’s love for dogs can sometimes get him into precarious situations, where he doesn’t feel as secure as he might hope to.

When your child gets bitten by a dog, it can be scary, but you should know steps you have to do. Here in this article is our guide on what to do if your child is bitten by a dog.

1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

The most important thing that you do is keep your cool. Despite the fact that it is normal to be alarmed, panic will only worsen the case and make it harder to deal with. So breathe deeply, as you will immediately evaluate how serious the bite is.

First, measure the depth at which the wound is and how deep it extends into the skin. The cases of dog bites are from minor scratches to punctures and varies according to your wound’s case. If the wound bleeds too much or the wound is large, deep, or on the head or neck, you should go to the hospital directly by dialing 911 or locating the nearest emergency room.

If the wound appears minor, move your child out of the dog’s reach and follow steps for second-degree wound care.

Related reading: Using Treats for Training Dogs – Reasons, Tips, Benefits, and Drawbacks

2. Clean the Wound Thoroughly

Clean the wound immediately before the wound becomes infected. A minor dog bite can become the entry point of bacteria into the skin.

• Wash the Wound: Use mild soap and cool running water to gently clean the wound for several minutes. This helps remove dirt, saliva, and bacteria from the bite.

• Apply an Antiseptic: Use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol as a disinfectant of the wound by putting it on after you have washed the wound.

• Cover the Wound: After cleaning it, cover it up with a clean bandage or even a sterile dressing so it does not get contaminated further.

Observe the child’s response as you clean the wound. If the child is astonishingly upset, confused, or lethargic, or if the bleeding does not stop within 10 minutes of direct pressure, then see a doctor right away.

3. Seek Medical Attention

Always get your child checked by a healthcare provider if bitten by a dog-even if the wound is relatively minor. There are many important reasons for this:

• Preventing Infection: Dog bites may contain bacteria and the infection can be cellulitis, tetanus, and sometimes, sepsis. The medical professional should see the wound and can prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.

• Tetanus and Rabies Shots: It probably would have to be refreshed if it’s already used, and hence, the booster shot may have to be administered to your child. In addition, if the vaccination history of the dog is not known, or if the doctor suspects that it had rabies, this increases the possible need for administering a series of rabies vaccinations. It is a rare but potentially fatal disease.

Besides confirming that the child is not infected and that he or she has taken all recommended vaccinations, the health provider will clean the wound effectively and stitch it, where necessary, and dress it to ensure proper healing. In other cases, some bites require stitches or even plastic surgery depending on the location and the severity of the bites.

4. Document the Incident

Once your child’s immediate medical needs have been addressed, it’s important to document the dog bite incident in case further action is needed. Proper recording may ensure safeguarding your rights and that you have all your information in case you need to sue.

Here’s what to do:

• As soon as it is safe to do so, photograph your child’s wound, in clear view, several photos per day for the days that pass for the healing process. In case the dog owner is available, try to know his name and phone number and request to see proof of vaccination for rabies. The vaccination status of the dog will determine if your child needs a rabies shot.

• Try to get the contact information of any witnesses to the incident. This will also come in handy, as the event surrounding the bite can be quite useful for a later stage.

• You might be legally bound to report the animal attack to your local area’s animal control or even the local law enforcement in your area, depending on the place you live. Reporting this incident will ensure the responsible authorities investigate the behavior of the dog and whether or not it poses a danger to others.

5. Consider Legal Action

If the dog attacked your child severely or if it was an unprovoked attack, then you should consult with a dog-bite attorney to guide you on your legal rights. An attorney will be able to explain if compensation is owed to you regarding your medical costs, pain and anguish, and potential long-range effects of an injury.

“Apart from holding the dog’s owner liable for the harm their pet inflicted upon you, the goal of filing a civil lawsuit is to obtain compensation for all you’ve been through,” Raybin & Weissman, P.C. explains.

Most states have laws related specifically to bites by dogs, sometimes the lawyer can help you understand how to apply the law. Apart from that, the owner of the dog can be responsible for some of the injuries caused by the dog, especially if it has a history of aggression or the owner did not take sufficient means to control the dog.

If the dog owner has homeowners or renters insurance that could potentially cover the occurrence, there are particular areas of representation an attorney can provide on how to handle the insurance companies.

Related reading: Teaching Kids How to Care for a Dog

Putting it All Together

In the first place, when your child gets bitten by a dog, it is easy to go into “freak out mode”. But, knowing how things are supposed to be done and having a plan set up, you remain calm. You avoid making mistakes that might get your child in harm’s way. When in doubt, see a doctor and hire an attorney. They can walk you through the process.