Being bitten by a dog can be a frightening and traumatic experience — and knowing what to do in those first few moments can make all the difference. Whether the bite seems minor or serious, the steps you take immediately after an attack can affect both your health and your legal rights.
At The Law Offices of Peter Briskin, P.C., we’ve helped many dog bite victims across New Jersey take control of a difficult situation. From seeking proper medical attention to reporting the incident and preserving your right to compensation, we’re here to walk you through every step. This guide covers both the medical precautions you should take and the legal actions you may need to consider after a dog bite.
Why Prompt Action Matters After a Dog Bite
Taking quick and informed action after a dog bite is crucial for two important reasons: your health and your legal protection.
Health Risks
Even small puncture wounds from a dog bite can lead to serious infections, such as:
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- Cellulitis or other bacterial infections
Children, elderly adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable. In some cases, untreated wounds can result in long-term complications or hospitalization. Immediate medical treatment can reduce the risk and help the wound heal properly.
Legal and Financial Consequences
From a legal perspective, what you do in the hours and days after the attack can impact your ability to file a claim. Important evidence — like the identity of the dog owner, proof of vaccination, and photos of the injury — can disappear if not documented early. Waiting too long can also make it harder to prove the severity of your injuries or the dog’s history.
At The Law Offices of Peter Briskin, P.C., we’ve seen how early action can mean the difference between a denied claim and a successful recovery. Protecting your rights starts with protecting your health.
Step 1 – Get to a Safe Place and Assess the Injury
Your first priority after a dog bite is to get to a safe place away from the animal to prevent further injury. If the dog is still aggressive or not restrained, put as much distance as possible between yourself and the animal. If others are nearby, ask for help and call 911 if the situation is dangerous or the injuries are severe.
Once you’re safe, assess the injury:
- Is the wound bleeding heavily?
- Can you move the affected area?
- Is there visible muscle, bone, or deep tissue?
- Were you bitten by a wild or stray animal?
If the bite is deep, located on the head, face, hands, or feet, or bleeding won’t stop after a few minutes of pressure, it’s time to seek emergency medical care immediately.
Children who are bitten should be examined by a healthcare provider regardless of how minor the wound appears. Young children are more likely to suffer serious injuries from dog bites — and the psychological impact can be just as damaging as the physical wound.
Even if the injury seems mild, do not dismiss it. Some of the most dangerous complications, such as infection or nerve damage, develop hours or even days later.
Step 2 – Perform Basic First Aid (While Waiting for Medical Help)
If emergency services are on the way or you’re heading to a doctor, performing basic first aid can help reduce the risk of infection and stabilize the injury. Here’s what to do:
Clean the Wound
Gently wash the bite area with warm running water and mild soap. Do this for at least 5 minutes to flush out any dirt or bacteria. Be careful not to scrub aggressively, especially if the skin is torn or bleeding heavily.
Stop the Bleeding
Use a clean cloth or sterile gauze to apply firm but gentle pressure to the wound. Elevating the injured area can also help slow bleeding. If the bleeding is severe or doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure, seek emergency care immediately.
Apply an Antibiotic and Cover the Wound
Once bleeding is under control, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment if available. Then cover the bite with a clean dressing or sterile bandage to protect it from bacteria and further trauma.
Watch for Signs of Infection
Even with proper first aid, dog bites are prone to infection. Be alert for:
- Redness, warmth, or swelling around the bite
- Pus or discharge
- Increasing pain
- Fever or chills
These symptoms may require urgent medical treatment. If in doubt, always consult a healthcare professional — especially if you have a weakened immune system, diabetes, or have not had a recent tetanus shot.
Step 3 – Seek Medical Attention
No matter how minor a dog bite may seem, it’s critical to have it evaluated by a healthcare professional. Dog bites can cause damage beneath the skin that isn’t immediately visible — and the risk of infection, nerve damage, and disease transmission should never be underestimated.
Why You Should See a Doctor:
- To determine if you need rabies shots, tetanus vaccination, or antibiotics
- To check for deeper tissue damage, especially in the hands, face, or joints
- To properly clean and dress the wound to prevent infection
- To receive documentation of your injuries, which is important if you decide to file a claim
If you go to the emergency room or an urgent care center, tell them:
- What kind of animal bit you
- Whether it was a wild, stray, or pet
- If you’ve received tetanus or rabies vaccines in the past
Keep all medical records, receipts, prescriptions, and discharge summaries. These documents are not only crucial for your health, but also for any future legal or insurance claim. At The Law Offices of Peter Briskin, P.C., we often use this evidence to establish the seriousness of the injury and calculate full compensation for our clients.
Step 4 – Dog Bite Reporting and Documentation
Af you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite in New Jersey, it’s essential to act quickly—not just to protect your health, but also to safeguard your legal rights.
New Jersey State Law Requires It
Under New Jersey state law, all dog bites must be reported to the local County Health Officer. This isn’t just a formality—it plays a critical role in:
- Tracking bite data to shape public safety policies
- Supporting effective rabies control
- Ensuring authorities can monitor and respond to potentially dangerous dogs
By filing an official report, you help protect others in your community—and potentially lay the groundwork for a future dog bite settlement case.
How to Report a Dog Bite in NJ
You can report a bite in one of the following ways:
- Contact your municipal animal control office
- Call your local health department
- Reach out to the local police department—they will forward the information to animal control if needed
Information You’ll Need to Provide
- Your contact details
- The date, time, and location of the attack
- A description of the dog, and if available, the owner’s information
- Details about your injuries and any medical treatment received
We’re Here to Help
At the Law Offices of Peter Briskin, P.C., we often assist clients in obtaining animal control records and ensuring the proper steps are taken. If you’re uncertain about how to file the report or what happens next, our team is here to guide you through every step.
Step 5 – Request Proof of Vaccination from the Dog’s Owner
If the dog that bit you belongs to someone, it’s important to ask the owner for proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination as soon as possible. This step not only protects your health but can also influence the medical treatment you receive and any legal action you may pursue.
What to Ask For:
- Rabies vaccination records
- Tetanus vaccine status (if known)
- Vet contact information to verify the dog’s health history
If the owner refuses to cooperate, doesn’t have the records, or cannot be identified, your doctor may recommend a series of precautionary rabies shots, which can be costly and unpleasant. This also strengthens your legal case, as it shows you were forced to undergo treatment due to the owner’s lack of information or negligence.
If the bite came from a stray or wild animal, animal control will investigate and may attempt to locate the animal for testing or quarantine. Always report the lack of proof to the authorities.
Our team at The Law Offices of Peter Briskin, P.C. often helps clients obtain this documentation and use it to establish both medical necessity and legal liability in dog bite cases.
Step 6 – Document Everything for Legal and Insurance Purposes
Once your immediate medical needs are addressed, it’s time to start building a strong foundation for any potential legal or insurance claim. At The Law Offices of Peter Briskin, P.C., we can’t stress this enough: the more documentation you have, the stronger your case will be.
Here’s what you should do:
Take Photos
- Photograph the bite wounds right after the incident and throughout the healing process
- Take pictures of any bruising, swelling, or scarring
- Capture images of torn clothing, blood-stained items, or the scene of the attack
Save Medical Records and Bills
- Keep all emergency room or urgent care records
- Save prescriptions, discharge papers, and lab results
- Hold on to bills for follow-up visits, therapy, or medications
Track Missed Work and Pain Levels
- Log any days of missed work or income
- Maintain a pain journal noting your symptoms, discomfort, and emotional impact (anxiety, sleep disruption, PTSD, etc.)
Collect Witness Information
- Get names and contact info for anyone who saw the attack
- Their statements may support your claim, especially if the dog owner disputes liability
Proper documentation can make all the difference in recovering maximum compensation. If you’re unsure what to save or how to organize your materials, we’ll walk you through the process during your free consultation.
When to Contact a Dog Bite Attorney in New Jersey
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in New Jersey, you may be entitled to compensation — but securing it isn’t always straightforward. Medical bills, lost income, emotional trauma, and insurance company pushback can quickly turn an already painful experience into a frustrating legal battle.
That’s where we come in.
At The Law Offices of Peter Briskin, P.C., we recommend speaking with a dog bite attorney as soon as possible after the incident. Early legal guidance helps ensure that:
- Critical evidence is preserved
- Insurance companies don’t take advantage of you
- Filing deadlines (like NJ’s two-year statute of limitations) are met
Our firm offers free consultations on all dog bite cases, and we work on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Let us handle the legal stress so you can focus on healing.
