Fort Worth is a beautiful city in Texas. It has designated leash law zones and ordinances that require dogs to be under control in public areas. Suppose a dog bites someone while off-leash; the owner could be held liable under the city code. Not just civilly, but there can also be criminal penalties, especially if the dog has a history.
Fort Worth is also home to several hospitals with emergency departments that see dog bite cases on a weekly basis. Dog bites are taken seriously here, and there are clear steps you can take. One of the most important steps would be to find a Fort Worth dog bite injury attorney who can explain the legalities that apply to your case.
If any complexity is involved, they would also be there to handle it on your behalf. Everything they do would be targeted at helping you get full justice and compensation for the bite you have suffered.
Here are the other steps you should take when a neighbor’s dog bites you.
Get Away From the Dog Immediately
As soon as you’re bitten, your number one priority is to get away safely. Don’t worry about why it happened or what the neighbor is doing. Focus on creating distance between you and the dog. If it’s still acting aggressively or isn’t on a leash, it could bite again. Slowly back away if possible. Cross the street, get indoors, hop into your car, or whatever it takes to make sure you’re out of reach.
Immediately Clean the Wound Properly and See a Doctor
Even if the bite looks minor, don’t make the mistake of treating it like a scratch. Dogs carry several diseases and bacteria that can be transmitted in a bite. Their mouths are loaded with germs that get into your bloodstream the second your skin breaks. If left untreated, they could spiral into serious infections.
As soon as you’re in a safe place, rinse the wound with warm water. Use soap and scrub the area gently but thoroughly for at least a full minute. If you’ve got hydrogen peroxide or iodine, that’s helpful too, but the most important part is washing away bacteria early.
Apply an antibacterial ointment if you have it, and cover the wound with a clean bandage. Even if the bite doesn’t look deep, there could be damage underneath, especially to nerves, tendons, or muscle tissue.
Your doctor will be able to assess the wound properly, clean it again if needed, and decide if you need a tetanus booster or antibiotics.
Try to Get Information About the Dog and the Owner
If you know who owns the dog, talk to them, but keep it civil. You’re not there to argue; you need details. Ask if the dog is up to date on its rabies shots. Try to get the dog’s name, breed, age, and whether it has ever bitten anyone before.
If the owner seems defensive or tries to downplay what happened, don’t push too hard. Just take note of what they say. You can always follow up with Fort Worth Animal Care and Control to verify the dog’s records. They can check if the dog is registered and vaccinated or if there have been previous complaints.
Talk to Witnesses, if There Were Any
If anyone saw what happened, like joggers or delivery drivers, make sure that you talk to them. Ask if they’d be willing to give you their contact info if you need a statement. Even a simple text saying that they saw the attack happen can help confirm your version of events if the owner disputes it later.
Don’t Feel Guilty
Plenty of people hesitate to speak up because they don’t want to cause trouble. But then, if that dog bit once, it could bite again. And next time, it could be a child or an elderly neighbor who can’t move away fast enough.
By reporting the bite, following through on medical treatment, and making sure the proper steps are taken, you’re helping to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Sometimes, that’s all it takes for an owner to realize they need to do better.
So don’t downplay what happened. Take care of yourself. Protect your rights. And know that dealing with it the right way now can prevent a much worse situation later on.
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