A dog bite incident can occur at any time in Indiana to anyone. It may involve a wild dog or someone’s family pet. At Gardner & Rans PC, we see victims of all ages and situations of all types. Not every dog must be provoked to attack. If a dog is known to be aggressive, it could attack if you just walk by it. If an attack occurs, you should seek medical attention immediately and the proper authorities need to be contacted.
According to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, the state requires all animal bites to be investigated. An official animal bite form must be filled out for each incident that contains information about when the bite occurred and the situation in which the bite occurred and information on the dog. When you seek medical care, medical personnel will usually fill out the proper forms and contact the correct authorities. The main concern and reason behind the investigation is to ensure the animal does not have rabies and could not have passed the disease onto you.
Seeking medical attention is essential after a bite. Animals carry bacteria in their mouths that can cause serious illnesses in people. Proper care involves washing the area carefully with soap and water immediately after the bite occurs. A tetanus vaccine may be required depending on when you last had one. Antibiotics are also usually prescribed to prevent infection. If the bite is serious, hospitalization, stitches or reconstructive surgery may be necessary. Please visit our website to learn more about our personal injury services.