Animal attacks can cause serious, even permanent, injuries. Many animal attacks, particularly by dogs, involve small children. When the owner of an animal fails to protect the public from injuries caused by their animal, they have acted irresponsibly and should be held legally accountable. California law has made animal owners "strictly liable" for injuries such as dog bites—and provides for the recovery of damages from irresponsible owners for injuries and property damage caused by their animals. What To Do After A Dog Bite (or other animal attack): Get Medical Treatment — Any wound from an animal attack can be potentially serious, even if it appears to be superficial or minor. Scarring, infection, and the transmission of disease are real concerns with any such wound. Seek medical attention immediately. Identify the Animal — Document a complete description of the animal involved. Where possible, obtain the name and address of the animal's owner. Also obtain dog license information, whether a report has been filed with an animal control agency, and any witness statements. Document the Incident — List the time, place, and circumstances of the incident. Obtain the name, address, and telephone number of any witnesses, and save this information where you will not lose it. Investigate the Scene — Return to the incident scene, visit any nearby homes or businesses (if applicable) for any potential witenesses to the incident. Take Photographs — Take pictures at the incident location, photographs of the injuries themselves (cuts, puctures, scrapes, bruises, stitches, etc.), and photographs of the condition of your clothing in the area of the bite. Email Us: info@TDLLaw.com About Firm Fee Structure Contact Us FAQ Home Auto Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Uninsured Motorists Dog Bites © Copyright 2002 Thomas D. Lininger and Associates. All Rights Reserved.