Dog Bite: What To Do if Your Child Was Attacked by Your Neighbor’s Dog

It is a devastating moment when you realize your child has been attacked by a dog. As unthinkable as these situations are, they do unfortunately happen. Dog attacks aren't always a matter of life and death, but you should treat them seriously until you know otherwise. Here are steps to help you act effectively. 

Seek Medical Help Immediately

Any injury with a substantial amount of blood, visible tissue damage, or other serious trauma requires emergency help, so call an ambulance. Even if the child appears fine, you should take them to an emergency medical center immediately. Any skin-breaking bite wound will likely require a rabies shot to prevent possible infection. Additionally, reporting a bite may automatically dispatch authorities to impound or test the dog in question.

Find an Attorney

Once the immediate medical emergency is over, you should talk to an attorney who handles personal injury claims. A personal injury attorney can advise you on how to best prepare, file, and handle your claim once it enters the justice system. Your attorneys can help you navigate the process and manage all of the specifics, technicalities, and details that might prove crucial for a positive outcome.

Gather Testimony and Evidence

Claims can take months to actually turn into a hearing with a judge or jury, which is only bad news for the reliability of witnesses and availability of evidence. That's why you should gather testimony and evidence as soon as possible after the incident. Record or write down verbal reports from anyone who may have seen the dog attack, including the child who was injured. Take pictures and copy all relevant medical documents as potential evidence to present in court.

Keep it Civil

Even though it's difficult to keep emotions in check, it's important to avoid any further conflict with the dog's owner before the court hearing. This can be particularly complicated if the owner is a friend or family member. Sometimes these incidents can be painful for both parties. When seeking a legal claim against the owner, it's important to stick to the facts and avoid even the appearance of further escalation or personal retribution.

No parent is really ready to handle the aftermath of a dog attack on one of their children. Unfortunately, this kind of worst-case scenario is one that parents should be prepared to face. Child safety and well-being is always the most important thing, but preparing to make a complete and competent legal claim is big too.