Am I Required to Report a Dog Bite?

Dogs are beloved pets around the country, but they are also behind thousands of serious injuries and deaths every year. When a dog attacks, injuries can be catastrophic for the victim. Even a bite from a small dog can lead to pain, suffering, infection, medical bills, and permanent scars.

Learn when to report a dog bite incident in Nebraska – as well as whether the law requires reporting – and your rights as a victim with help from an Omaha dog bite lawyer.

Understanding Dog Bite Reporting Requirements

Reporting a dog bite is a crucial step in ensuring public safety and preventing the spread of rabies and other infections. In the United States, dog bite reporting requirements vary from state to state. Some states mandate reporting dog bites to local animal control or health departments, while others may require notifying law enforcement agencies.

In general, it is recommended to report a dog bite to the local animal control agency or police department, especially if the dog poses an immediate danger to others. Reporting a dog bite can help identify potentially dangerous dogs and prevent future attacks.

When reporting a dog bite, it is essential to provide as much information as possible, including:

• The dog’s breed, size, and color
• The dog’s owner’s contact information
• The location and time of the incident
• A description of the incident, including any witnesses
• Any medical treatment received

Reporting a dog bite can also help dog bite victims seek compensation for medical expenses and other damages. A personal injury lawyer can guide dog bite victims through the reporting process and help them navigate the complexities of dog bite laws.

Document the Dog Bite Incident

Before you leave the scene where the dog attack occurred to get medical attention, collect important information for your dog bite case. This includes the pet owner’s full name and contact information, photos of the dog and your injuries, the names of eyewitnesses, and a description of what happened while it is still fresh in your memory. Documenting the dog attack from the beginning can help you build an injury claim later.

Get Medical Treatment

Always go to a hospital or urgent care center after a dog bite injury that breaks the skin or seriously injures you. As a dog bite victim, seeking immediate medical care and legal guidance is crucial. Dog bite injuries have a high risk of developing infections from bacteria in the dog’s mouth and saliva. 

Professional medical care can help you prevent infections and facilitate healing. You may need stitches, sterilization, wound debridement, bandages, or rabies shots to ensure your physical safety. Keep track of all your medical records and care. Request copies of your prescriptions, treatment plans, bills, and prognosis reports. If you choose to file a dog bite claim later, medical documentation can provide important evidence.

Tell the Owner About the Bite

All bites are serious enough to report them. Tell the pet owner the dog bit you if he or she did not witness the attack. A dog that has bitten someone once may continue to do so until the owner corrects the misbehavior. The pet owner needs to know about the incident to improve the odds of preventing a similar attack. 

Notifying the owner could also help a victim of the same dog in the future, as it is necessary to prove the owner knew or should have known about a dog’s aggressive behavior and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent another attack to obtain compensation.

Consider Reporting to Humane Societies or Animal Control

You may also want to report the dog bite injury to your local humane society or animal control center. Although no law in Nebraska makes it mandatory to report an attack, doing so could protect you and your community. 

The Nebraska Humane Society may need to quarantine the dog to make sure it does not have rabies or another infectious disease. Contacting animal control creates an official report of the incident. This can prove the attack happened and that you have injuries. Your incident report could provide key evidence against the pet owner during an injury claim.

Dangerous Dog or Potentially Dangerous Dog Designations

It is also important to report an attack in case the pet requires a Dangerous Dog (DD) or Potentially Dangerous Dog (PDD) designation. These are classifications animal control may place on a dog that has shown unprovoked aggression or violence.

PDD is a two-year probation period in which the pet owner must fulfill special requirements such as micro-chipping, spaying/neutering, and training the dog.

DD designations require a court appearance by the owner. A dog might be dangerous if it inflicted severe dog bite injuries that caused hospitalization or disfigurement. A DD designation lasts the rest of the dog’s life, along with requirements such as confining the dog to a covered kennel when outside and obtaining personal liability insurance.

Dog Bite Liability Laws

Dog bite liability laws vary from state to state, but most states hold dog owners responsible for injuries caused by their dogs. In some states, dog owners are strictly liable for dog bite injuries, meaning they can be held responsible even if they took reasonable measures to prevent the attack.

Does the One-Bite Rule Apply in Nebraska?

In other states, dog owners may only be liable if they knew or should have known that their dog was dangerous. This is often referred to as the “one-bite rule.” However, Nebraska does not utilize the one-bite rule, so this will be more relevant to individuals in other states. Under this rule, dog owners are not liable for the first bite, but they can be held responsible for subsequent bites if they failed to take reasonable measures to prevent them.

Premises Liability in Dog Bite Cases

Dog bite liability laws also vary depending on the circumstances of the incident. For example, if a dog bite occurs on the dog owner’s property, the owner may be liable for failing to provide adequate warning or containment. If a dog bite occurs off the owner’s property, the owner may be liable for failing to control their dog.

Understanding dog bite liability laws is essential for dog bite victims seeking compensation for their injuries. A personal injury lawyer can help dog bite victims navigate the complexities of dog bite laws and ensure they receive fair compensation for their damages.

Proactive Measures Against Dog Bites

Dog bites pose a significant threat to public safety, particularly for children and vulnerable adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States, resulting in over 20 fatalities.

Dog bites can also have long-term consequences, including physical and emotional trauma. In some cases, dog bites can lead to serious infections, such as rabies, and even death.

If you want to prevent dog bites and ensure public safety, it is essential to take proactive measures, including:

• Spaying or neutering dogs to reduce aggression
• Providing adequate training and socialization for dogs
• Keeping dogs on a leash or in a secure enclosure
• Posting warning signs on properties with dangerous dogs
• Reporting dog bites to local animal control or law enforcement agencies

By taking these measures, we can reduce the risk of dog bites and ensure public safety. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately and report the incident to local authorities. A personal injury lawyer can also help dog bite victims seek compensation for their injuries and ensure they receive fair treatment under the law.

File a Dog Bite Claim: Get Help From an Attorney at Knowles Law Firm

After notifying the pet owner, animal control, the humane society, and the police (in serious cases) of your dog bite injury, it is crucial to file a dog bite report and contact an attorney from Knowles Law Firm for recommendations on bringing a civil claim for damages. Filing an injury suit against the negligent pet owner could result in compensation for your economic and non-economic losses. A lawyer could help you hold an owner accountable for a serious injury a dog causes in Nebraska.

To get started, please reach out to our team! You can contact us and schedule a consultation by calling (402) 431-9000 or completing our contact form.