Get Help From Top Rated Dog Bite Lawyers in West Covina

Next, evaluate the dog bite so you can get the medical care you need. Dog bites can range from minor to critical, and they’re classified as follows:

• Level 1: The dog snaps, but their teeth didn’t touch the skin during the incident.
• Level 2: The dog’s teeth touched the skin but didn’t break or puncture it.
• Level 3: The dog caused up to four shallow puncture wounds.
• Level 4: The dog caused at least one deep puncture wound from one bite.
• Level 5: The dog caused multiple bites, including deep and shallow puncture wounds.

If you have a Level 2 wound, you may be able to treat it at home. If you aren’t bleeding, you can simply use mild soap and water to clean the wound. In the event that you are bleeding, use a clean cloth or gauze to apply gentle pressure to the wound for a few minutes. When the bleeding stops, clean the area with soap and water, dry it, and cover it with a bandage.

Keep a close eye on the wound as it heals. Continue to clean it regularly and change the bandage at least once a day. Look for indications of an infection, such as increased pain or redness. If the wound appears to get worse rather than better, see your doctor.

If you have a Level 3, 4, or 5 dog bite, it’s generally in your best interest to see a doctor. Call for emergency medical help if you or a loved one suffered a deep puncture wound or multiple bites. You should also get help quickly if the bleeding doesn’t stop within 15 minutes of applying gentle pressure.

Depending on the severity of the bite and the information you gathered from the owner, your healthcare provider may suggest one or more courses of action. You may need antibiotics to treat an infection, and you may need a rabies vaccine if the dog was a stray or if it hadn’t been immunized.

In rare cases, you may need to see a cosmetic surgeon after the injuries heal. Cosmetic surgery is most common for patients who experience a serious attack or multiple disfiguring dog bites.

Once you’ve assessed the seriousness of the dog bite and handled any required medical care, it’s time to complete some paperwork. You should always report a dog bite to your city or county, even if the injury isn’t serious. Filing a report creates a paper trail that can give you or the next victim recourse if the same dog attacks someone again.

To file a report, call your local animal control center. Provide all of the facts, including the name of the dog and the owner, where the incident happened, and any other circumstances. Ask for a copy of the report for your records.

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