Most people do not anticipate being bitten by a dog and few have thought about how they would respond to a severe bite. Medical bills, time off work, and possibly even plastic surgery could cause financial hardship. Depending on the seriousness of the incident, you could end up facing long-term psychological effects.
After being attacked by a dog, you should first seek medical attention. Afterwards, it may be wise to retain the services of a skilled personal injury attorney. If you or a loved one were attacked by a dangerous animal, you could receive damages from the dog’s owner for any losses or expenses that resulted. A Sandusky dog bite lawyer could help mount a legal case and fight to help you recover compensation for all of your damages.
What to Do Following a Dog Bite
A Sandusky city ordinance requires anyone who knows that an animal has rabies or has bitten another person to report the information to the Board of Health. The city imposes a quarantine period of ten days after any dog or animal attack. A first offense of any unlawful act under the statute qualifies as a minor misdemeanor.
The Ohio Department of Health recommends taking these actions to avoid the possibility of rabies or other health hazards if someone has received an animal bite:
Use either soap and water or an antiseptic liquid containing povidone-iodine to clean the injured area immediately
Visit a doctor for a tetanus shot if one has not been administered in the last decade
Consult with a doctor about the need for a rabies vaccine
If someone in Sandusky was bitten by a dog that has been placed in quarantine, a test will reveal whether the dog has rabies. They can inquire into any damages they may be owed in a situation like this by contacting a dog bite lawyer.
The Liability of the Dog Owner
Under Ohio Revised Code §955.28, when a dog harms another person’s property, injures, or kills someone, the dog’s owner faces strict liability for any resulting losses. Proving the owner’s negligence is not required.
Although Ohio is one of several states with a strict-liability statute related to canine bites, certain conditions may preclude holding the dog’s owner strictly liable. For example, if someone is bitten while engaging in a crime on the owner’s property, such as criminal trespass, strict liability does not apply. The same is true if someone was bitten while teasing or agitating the dog.
The bar to strict liability also applies if the canine in question was a police dog being treated by a veterinarian or participating in work related to law enforcement at the time the bite occurred.
 Contact a Sandusky Dog Bite Lawyer Today
If you were injured after being bitten by a dog, and are facing substantial medical bills or emotional distress, you have the legal option to seek relief. Dog owners have duties of care to protect others from their pets, especially if they have shown signs of aggression in the past.
Arrange an appointment with a Sandusky dog bite lawyer from Tittle & Perlmuter and determine your legal options.
