What to Do if a Dog Starts Acting Aggressive on You?

When someone is minding their own business and going about their lives, it can be stressful to come into contact with an aggressive dog. While most dogs will bark at a person and go on about their walk, some dogs can be aggressive and attack. Dog attacks can leave behind serious injuries, and they can sometimes be life-threatening. When someone is injured by a dog, they may be entitled to receive financial compensation.

How Should Individuals React When a Dog Is Aggressive?

Dogs will show different signs when they are being aggressive. They may bark, growl, bare their teeth, or even lunge at a person. A dog is a territorial animal. If a dog feels like someone is invading their space, they may act aggressively. They may even attack. Those who are looking for details about what to do when a dog acts out should read further.

If a person notices a dog is becoming aggressive, they need to be cautious. Individuals should not engage with the dog or attempt to run. It is wise for a person to slow down their walk or run. A person should avoid making eye contact and back away from the dog slowly. Some dogs will respond to a firm and authoritative voice.

What Should a Person Do If They are Injured By an Aggressive Dog?

When someone is injured because of a dog attack, they need to immediately seek medical attention, especially if they were bitten. Dogs can have rabies and could carry other diseases. Dog bites can easily become infected. When seeking medical care, it is essential a person tells the medical staff they were bitten by a dog so the correct action can be taken.

It is also important to notify the authorities of the dog attack. Call animal control right away and report the attack. Law enforcement or animal control may be able to locate the owner of the dog so a personal injury claim for compensation can be pursued.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

After seeking medical care, contacting a personal injury attorney is the next important step. The attorney will likely offer a free consultation appointment. At the consultation, the injured party will learn about dog bite laws in the state and their rights as an injured victim.

If a victim can prove they were attacked by the dog and the owner was negligent, the victim may have the right to receive financial compensation for their injuries and damages. It helps to hire a lawyer to launch an investigation into the dog attack. The lawyer will work to find the owner and gather as much evidence as possible to prove the owner was negligent.

When an injured victim hires a lawyer, the lawyer does not charge any fees unless the client wins their case. Hiring a lawyer offers great peace of mind. The lawyer will ensure their client receives the medical care that is necessary to recover fully from the dog attack.

Discover More Information

Dog owners must be held accountable for the injuries their dog causes. A dog owner must keep their dog secure and ensure they do not cause harm to others. When a dog bites someone or attacks them in any way, the victim needs to learn about their rights for pursuing compensation. Because there is a limitation on how long a victim has to file a lawsuit, acting quickly is essential.