The Virginia Personal Injury Blog

Most of us know that the first things to do when bitten by a strange dog is to report the authorities, and seek the proper medical attention. But what do we do when the dog’s owner is present?

Typically, if an owner is present when their animal attacks, they will feel guilty and be more willing to work with you. Get all the information you can from them—their contact and insurance information, as well as the dog’s medical history.

Dan Roman, of Lovettsville, VA, learned this the hard way. When his daughter Maya was bitten by a dog named Hunter in the park on Sunday, Roman was shaken, but didn’t get the contact info he needed.

Roman told the Frederick News Post that his four-year-old daughter stopped to pet a leashed dog, sitting with a couple at an outdoor table at Beans in the Belfry. When his daughter stopped to pet the dog, he lunged and bit her.

“It wasn’t a real hard bite at all,” Roman said. Roman said the dog had tags on his collar, and that the owners were very upset (and bought Maya a brownie) and assured him their dog was current on shots.

However, a day later, the puncture marks from the bite were slightly infected. Because the dog bite was not reported at the time of the incident, there is no way of knowing if the dog was actually current on his shots. Maya will have to undergo treatment for rabies as a precaution, which will involve a very painful intramuscular shot of serum.

Dog bite claims can be tricky. Before you speak with an insurance adjustor or hire an attorney (believe it or not—you may not need to!), contact The Parrish Law Firm and request your FREE copy of the Virginia Dog Bite Book.

Related posts:

1. U.S. Customs Dog Bites Child at Dulles Airport | Virginia Dog Bite Attorney
2. Homeowner’s Insurance Covers People Injured by Dog Bites
3. UAB tests software designed to prevent dog bites
4. Dog Bites Account for 1/3 of All Homeowners’ Insurance Liability Claims
5. The Number of Dog Bites and Attacks in the U.S. is Out of Control