How Should I Respond to an Animal Attack?

Animal attacks are frightening and dangerous. It is important to know what to do if a dog or other animal aggressively bites or otherwise attacks you or your child. How you respond to an attack can affect your health and your potential for compensation. Dog attacks may cause severe, even permanent injuries while incurring high medical bills. If you or your child were attacked, you may have a right to compensation for medical bills and additional compensation from the animal’s owner or harborer.

Almost 40 percent of Minnesota residents own dogs. While most animals are not aggressive, Minnesota’s high concentration of dogs makes it probable that you will cross paths with an aggressive animal at some point. Follow the steps below to contact the proper individuals and document the information you need to make a claim in case you or your child suffer a dog bite.

Call Bowden Cyr, PLLC, at 612-254-6409 to speak with a lawyer if you or a family member were attacked by an animal.

4 Key Steps in Responding to an Animal Attack

1. Seek immediate medical attention.
2. Call the appropriate authorities: 911, police, or animal control. Depending on the county or area where the attack occurred, both the police and animal control may investigate. Also, the sooner you call the authorities, the sooner the animal’s owner can be put on notice of the attack. The authorities will need to verify if the animal is up to date on its shots and whether it must be quarantined. Ask for documentation about the attack and the animal in question.
3. Take photographs of injuries and bruising. Photographs of the injuries are helpful in assessing damages and obtaining appropriate compensation. Some medical providers take photographs, depending on the provider and the treatment that is required.
4. Speak with an attorney who can explain the victim’s rights and payment of medical bills after an animal attack. The value of a case depends on many factors other than just the bite, such as healing and the impact on the victim’s personal life, job, etc. No two victims are impacted exactly the same and cases should be assessed based on individual facts.

Contact an Attorney Experienced With Animal Attacks

If you or your child was attacked by an aggressive animal, call 612-254-6409 to schedule your free consultation. You may also choose to contact us online. Our Woodbury attorneys will evaluate your case and advise you on steps moving forward. We understand what evidence is needed to make a solid claim and will fairly evaluate what you can expect given your circumstances.