Being bitten by a dog in Arizona is a terrifying situation to be a part of. Many dogs are cordial and friendly, but some can be vicious and cause you or your family harm. There are so many breeds of dogs that can snap in an instance, causing you to be bitten by a dog when you least expect it.
Arizona has hundreds of people every year that are bitten by dogs, so knowing what you can do to protect yourself as well as what steps to take if you are bitten is incredibly important.
A dog bite can be a traumatic and sudden event, so knowing what to do after you have been bitten by a dog will help to make sure you have everything taken care of.
One incredibly important consideration is to get the dog owners insurance information. If you are bitten by a random dog, it will be hard to find the owner so a necessary precaution is calling animal control to get a dog that bites off of the streets. It is incredibly important, no matter if the dog belongs to a friend or family member to gain insurance information. If you have trouble obtaining insurance or the owner refuses to give you such information, you can get authorities involved.
After being bitten by a dog, your adrenaline will be flowing and you need to make sure you are taken care of so you do not get infection or further injury. If the dog bite breaks skin, grab insurance information from the owner, and immediately seek medical attention. Dog bites can pierce skin and easily become infected. Dogs' mouths are full of bacteria that can cause an infection even if the bite doesn’t look that awful at first. There are multiple signs to look for when it comes to infections from a dog bite and Medical News today has several things to look for.
You also want to make sure that you document aspects of the attack such as pictures of the dog, as well as the location and any wounds you may have received. After you receive medical attention, it is also wise to write down exactly what happened and consult an attorney or law firm in order to figure out how to best take care of yourself and get what you need.
In many states, the laws have a one bite rule, meaning that if your dog has never bitten someone before then they are likely to get off of the hook. Arizona has completely different laws which hold a dog owner liable to their dog no matter if it is the first time their dog bites someone or the second.
Arizona holds dog owners liable and someone who has been bitten by your dog can easily be honored compensation based on their word and what happened. The damages you could be liable for could include hospital expenses for injuries as well as any major injuries that cause disability for life. Arizona holds dog owners liable even if they were not present during the attack. Compensation typically covers any expenses from injuries, money lost for missing work, therapy needed, as well as any future medical expenses.
Arizona law does allow one exception to dog bites in Arizona, and will let dog owners off of the hook and this is if they can prove the dog was provoked in some way. Many dogs do not attack for no reason, so if your dog was provoked or pushed to a point where he or she had to defend themselves you will not be liable for damages.
Yes, it is incredibly important to immediately report a dog bite to local authorities as well as animal control. Taking the time to report a dog bite will keep others safe as well as confine the dog until an investigation can ensue. You can reference Maricopa County Animal Bite Reporting to find information on who exactly to contact and numbers to contact local authorities.
Dogs that are reported to have bitten someone, must be quarantined for at least 10 days or until the owner pays the charges to release them from quarantine. Something else you should be aware of is that the dog bite victim can begin a vicious dog petition that's goal is to keep the dog off of the street and out of the neighborhood for good.
Reporting a dog bite right after it happens will allow your claim to be investigated and most likely compensate you for your damages. You can call local authorities, as well as report a dog bite online using Maricopa County Report an Animal Resource.
If you reside in Arizona, there are multiple laws all over the state that will protect you from dog bites. Dog bites can come at any time and take you completely off guard, so knowing that there is legislation that will protect you is important to know.
Citizens of Arizona have up to a year from the date of their dog bite to report to authorities. Once a dog bite is reported, the owner of the dog is completely liable and will be taken to court for their dogs behavior.
After the first year, citizens of Arizona can still bring their matter to officials, but it becomes a lot more difficult. Once the dog bite incident is over two years old, you must prove that the owner of the dog was negligent in one way or another.
Another law that protects you and your family from dog bites is Fabian's Law. Fabians law went into effect to increase penalties for anyone who owns aggressive dogs that attack others. Fabian's law was put into effect after someone lost their own dog to a dog attack even though their dog was calmly walking on a leash. This law protects you, your family, and your pet from animals that are vicious and can cause harm for no apparent reason.
Dog attacks are a scary ordeal that can happen to anyone at any time. Knowing what steps to take to protect yourself from injury as well as get yourself the compensation you deserve will help you know how to act if you are ever attacked by a dog. Dog owners in Arizona are liable if their dog attacks anyone, no matter if it is the first time they bite someone or the seventh.
Arizona laws protect those that are attacked by dogs, by getting them the compensation and attention they deserve right off the bat. After you are bitten by a dog, make sure to document the picture, as well as gain information about the owner, and contact local authorities. Once you contact local authorities it is smart to reach out to a local attorney who will help fight for you and get you what you need.
If you are ever in a situation where you or a loved one is attacked by a dog, make sure to take the necessary steps to make sure you are taken care of both financially and medically.
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