No one wants to deal with a dog bite scenario. However, whether your dog is at fault, or whether he was provoked, there are a few things you must do if your dog bites someone. Taking the following steps will protect you and your dog, and help everyone involved recover from the incident.

Seek Medical Care

The most important thing you should do if your dog bites someone, is to obtain medical care for the person or animal that was bitten. You may also need to obtain medical care for your own dog; there are many cases where a dog is attacked and bites in self-defense.

Obtain Witness Statements

When a bite happens, this may be the last thing you think of at the time of the incident. Everyone may leave the scene amicably, with promises that everything is alright. However, situations and feelings can change, and you may find yourself facing a lawsuit. Obtain witness statements on the scene to protect yourself and your dog.

Contact Your Insurance Company

You should also contact your insurance company right away to find out what your rights and options are. You will likely be responsible for the medical expenses of the person or animal that your dog bit, so you will also want to find out what your coverage amounts are.

Contact Local Authorities

Depending upon who your dog bit, and the circumstances surrounding the event, it’s generally a good idea to contact local law enforcement agencies. An officer can come out and take statements from all parties that were involved. This can protect you and your dog later if a legal situation arises from the incident.

Contact an Attorney

Again, depending upon the circumstances, you may wish to contact an attorney. Even if the other party has not threatened litigation, contacting an attorney can help you protect your rights under the law, and protect your dog. In addition, you will have an attorney on hand should you be facing a court date.