What to Do if You’re Bitten by a Dog in Philadelphia

Dog bites are a common yet often underestimated problem. In the United States, millions of people are bitten by dogs each year, leading to serious injuries and, in some cases, long-term health issues. Philadelphia is no exception, with numerous dog bite incidents reported annually. Understanding the steps to take after a dog bite is crucial for protecting your health and legal rights.

Knowing what actions to take immediately after a dog bite can help mitigate the risk of infection, ensure you receive proper medical care, and strengthen your case if you decide to pursue legal action. These steps include seeking medical attention, reporting the incident, and documenting the attack. Properly handling a dog bite incident can make a significant difference in your recovery and in holding the responsible parties accountable.

Documenting the Incident

Gather Information About the Dog and Its Owner

Identify the Dog and Owner: Try to obtain the name, address, and contact information of the dog’s owner. If the owner is not present or refuses to provide information, take note of any identifying details about the dog and its appearance, as well as the location where the bite occurred.

Vaccination Records: Ask the owner for information about the dog’s vaccination status, particularly for rabies. This information is vital for your medical treatment and to prevent any serious health risks.

Take Photographs of Injuries and the Scene

Photograph Your Injuries: Take clear, detailed photographs of your injuries as soon as possible after the bite. Capture images from multiple angles and include any visible bite marks, bruising, or other injuries. Continue to document the healing process and any changes to your injuries over time.

Document the Scene: Photograph the location where the bite occurred. Include pictures of any relevant environmental factors, such as broken fences, signs indicating a dog, or areas where the dog might have escaped from.

Collect Witness Statements and Contact Information

Identify Witnesses: If there were any witnesses to the incident, gather their names and contact information. Witnesses can provide valuable testimony to support your account of the event.

Obtain Statements: Ask witnesses to provide written or recorded statements detailing what they saw. Ensure they include specifics about the dog’s behavior, the circumstances leading up to the bite, and any interactions with the dog’s owner.

Seeking Medical Treatment

Importance of Immediate and Ongoing Medical Care

Immediate Medical Care: Seeking immediate medical attention after a dog bite is crucial, even if the injury seems minor. Dog bites can cause deep tissue damage, infections, and other complications that may not be immediately visible. Immediate care ensures that the wound is properly cleaned and treated to prevent infection and other issues.

Ongoing Medical Care: Follow-up appointments are essential for monitoring the healing process and addressing any complications that may arise. Continued medical care can help manage pain, prevent infections, and ensure that the wound heals correctly. Additionally, seeing a specialist, such as a plastic surgeon or infectious disease expert, may be necessary depending on the severity of the bite.

Documenting Medical Visits and Treatments

Keeping Detailed Records: Documenting all medical visits and treatments is vital for both your health and any potential legal claims. Keep a comprehensive record of every doctor's visit, treatment received, medications prescribed, and any recommended follow-up care.

Medical Reports and Bills: Save copies of all medical reports, bills, and receipts related to your treatment. These documents provide evidence of the extent of your injuries and the associated costs, which is crucial for seeking compensation.

Photographic Evidence: Take photographs of your injuries throughout the healing process. These images can help demonstrate the severity and progression of your injuries over time, which can be important evidence in a legal case.

Filing a Dog Bite Report

How to Report the Incident to Local Animal Control or Law Enforcement

Contact Local Authorities: Immediately after seeking medical attention, it is crucial to report the dog bite incident to local authorities. This typically involves contacting your local animal control agency or the police department. In Philadelphia, you can report a dog bite to the Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT Philly) or the local police precinct.

Provide Detailed Information: When reporting the incident, provide detailed information about the attack. This should include:

• The date, time, and location of the incident
• A description of the dog, including its breed, size, color, and any identifying marks
• The name and contact information of the dog’s owner, if known
• A description of how the incident occurred
• Details about your injuries and any medical treatment you received
• Contact information for any witnesses to the incident

Follow Up: After filing the initial report, follow up with the agency to ensure the incident has been documented and to provide any additional information if needed. Keep a copy of the report for your records.

Importance of Official Documentation for Legal and Insurance Purposes

Legal Protection: Official documentation of the dog bite incident is crucial if you decide to pursue legal action against the dog’s owner. The report serves as an unbiased account of the incident, which can be vital evidence in court. It helps establish the facts of the case, such as the time and place of the attack and the severity of your injuries.

Insurance Claims: If you need to file an insurance claim for medical expenses or other damages resulting from the dog bite, official documentation will be necessary. Insurance companies often require a copy of the incident report to process your claim. This documentation helps verify your account of the incident and supports your request for compensation.

Public Safety: Reporting a dog bite also contributes to public safety. Animal control authorities can investigate whether the dog poses a danger to others and take appropriate action, such as quarantining the dog, requiring the owner to take specific precautions, or even removing the dog from the owner if it is deemed a threat.

Track Record of the Dog: If the dog has a history of aggression or previous incidents, an official report helps build a record that can be used to enforce stricter regulations on the dog’s owner. This can prevent future attacks and hold the owner accountable for maintaining control over their pet.

Legal Rights and Responsibilities in Philadelphia

Pennsylvania’s Dog Bite Laws

Strict Liability: Pennsylvania follows a strict liability rule for dog bites. This means that a dog owner can be held liable if their dog bites someone, regardless of the dog's past behavior or the owner's knowledge of any previous aggression. However, this applies primarily to medical expenses.

Negligence and Liability: Beyond medical expenses, if the victim seeks compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, or other damages, they must prove that the dog owner was negligent. Negligence can be established if the owner failed to control the dog properly or violated local leash laws.

Dangerous Dog Law: Pennsylvania also has specific regulations for dangerous dogs. A dog may be classified as dangerous if it has attacked or inflicted severe injury on a person without provocation. Owners of dangerous dogs are subject to strict regulations and may face additional penalties if their dog bites someone.

Owner’s Liability and Potential Defenses

Owner’s Liability: Under Pennsylvania law, dog owners are liable for all damages their dog causes if it bites someone, regardless of the dog's previous behavior. This includes both medical expenses and other damages if negligence is proven.

Potential Defenses:

• Provocation: An owner might argue that the victim provoked the dog, leading to the bite. Provocation can include teasing, hitting, or otherwise disturbing the dog.
• Trespassing: If the victim was trespassing on private property when the bite occurred, the owner might not be held liable. The law provides some protection to dog owners if the victim was unlawfully on their property.
• Assumption of Risk: This defense suggests that the victim knowingly took the risk of being bitten, such as by voluntarily approaching a dog known to be aggressive.

Victim’s Rights to Seek Compensation

Medical Expenses: Victims have the right to seek compensation for all medical expenses related to the dog bite, including emergency room visits, surgeries, medications, and follow-up care.

Pain and Suffering: In addition to medical costs, victims can pursue compensation for pain and suffering. This covers the physical pain and emotional distress experienced due to the injury.

Lost Wages: If the dog bite results in missed work or affects the victim’s ability to earn a living, they can claim compensation for lost wages and diminished earning capacity.

Property Damage: If the dog bite incident resulted in damage to personal property, such as torn clothing or broken personal items, victims can seek compensation for these losses as well.

Pallante Law

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Philadelphia, it’s crucial to seek experienced legal support to guide you through the process and ensure your rights are protected. At Pallante Law, we focus on dog bite cases and are dedicated to helping our clients secure the compensation they deserve.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Our compassionate and knowledgeable team is ready to provide the advice and representation you need to navigate the aftermath of a dog bite successfully. We are committed to offering personalized attention and dedicated support throughout your case.

• Address: Pallante Law Office, 1528 Walnut St #1004, Philadelphia, PA 19102
• Phone Number: 215-985-0976
• Website: Pallante Law