{"id":353468,"date":"2017-08-23T20:49:12","date_gmt":"2017-08-24T01:49:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/how-to-file-a-dog-bite-report.html"},"modified":"2023-06-28T16:30:40","modified_gmt":"2023-06-28T21:30:40","slug":"how-to-file-a-dog-bite-report","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/how-to-file-a-dog-bite-report.html","title":{"rendered":"How To File a Dog Bite Report"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How To File a Dog Bite Report<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Amber Sheppard, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Joseph Fawbush, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

After getting any necessary emergency medical care, you should report a dog bite incident. To file a report, you’ll need to contact your local animal control agency and follow its reporting process.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Even the most avid dog lover doesn’t want to suffer a dog bite. Unfortunately, animal attacks happen more often than you may realize.<\/p>\n

When\u00a0attacked by a dog<\/a>, quickly file a dog bite report with your local animal control agency. Learn how to file a dog bite report and why doing so is important in this article. For more information or help with the legal process, consult with a local dog bite lawyer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Why File a Dog Bite Injury Report?<\/h2>\n

Your local animal control agency and health department need to know about animal attacks for many reasons. Below, explore those reasons and how they help you and your community in the long run.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, a dog bite victim doesn’t want to file a dog bite claim. They may be friends with the dog’s owner, afraid of the owner, or worried about what could happen to the dog. But authorities urge victims of dog bites to report these incidents.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A Report Documents Your Personal Injury<\/h3>\n

A dog bite report provides legal documentation of the incident. You will need this to\u00a0file an insurance claim<\/a>\u00a0with an insurance adjuster or a lawsuit against the owner.<\/p>\n

A Report Starts an Investigation Into the Dog Bite Injury<\/h3>\n

A dog bite report triggers an investigation into the personal injury incident. Once you file your report, law enforcement can use it to get records and investigate. These records pertain to the dog’s owner, bite history, and vaccinations.<\/p>\n

This investigation may provide evidence of the dog owner’s fault.<\/a> You can present the evidence to the insurance company for a personal injury claim. You may use this evidence in a personal injury case against the owner of the dog or the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.<\/p>\n

Reporting Enforces Dog Bite Laws<\/h3>\n

Reporting a dog bite injury allows local agencies to enforce\u00a0state and local dog bite laws<\/a>.\u00a0Thirty-seven states have specific dog bite laws,\u00a0though\u00a0fault is attributed to the dog owner\u00a0in all 50 states. If the dog is dangerous, then the owner will have to take more precautions. For example, the dog may have to wear a muzzle. An owner may also face criminal charges and pay fines for their negligence. They may also have to pay vicious dog insurance.<\/p>\n

Reporting Prevents Future Attacks<\/h3>\n

A dog bite report can help protect others from attacks by the same animal. The dog’s owner is more likely to\u00a0take extra precautions<\/a>\u00a0once the authorities are aware of the dog’s dangerous behavior. This is especially true when the law demands it. Texas law states an\u00a0additional dangerous dog attack is a felony<\/a>\u00a0that carries a jail sentence and a fine. In more extreme cases, a rabid or\u00a0vicious dog<\/a>\u00a0may be put down to avoid future harm to the community.<\/p>\n

Reports Can Save Dogs in Harmful Situations<\/h3>\n

Some dogs may attack when they feel threatened. When dog owners abuse them, those dogs lash out at others, even if no real threat exists. Local animal control agencies help protect abused or neglected dogs, even in a dog bite case. If they find evidence of dog abuse, your dog bite report helps the dog.<\/p>\n

How To File a Dog Bite Report<\/h2>\n

Reporting a dog attack is fairly simple, but it’s important to take all the appropriate steps.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Preserve Evidence<\/h3>\n

Your first priority after\u00a0a dog attack<\/a>\u00a0is to seek medical attention. Dog bites can lead to infection, disfigurement, and even rabies. You can have injuries even if they don’t need an emergency room visit. Mental injuries like\u00a0Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder<\/a> (PTSD) and anxiety can occur.<\/p>\n

Next, you must document what happened to you or a loved one. Local animal control and law enforcement need evidence for their investigation. If not, your personal injury lawyer and insurance company need it for the\u00a0civil claims<\/a>\u00a0you file. You should:<\/p>\n