What can you do if you are bitten or attacked by a neighbor’s dog in NC? Your options
When people approach dogs, they hope to be able to pet or maybe even play with their newfound friends on four legs.
But some aren’t so lucky.
Around 4.5 million in the U.S. people are bitten by dogs each year, and most of the victims are between the ages of 5 and 9, according to the National Humane Education Society.
Dogs can bite people due to stress, sickness or because they feel threatened, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association — but that doesn’t mean blame for the bite falls solely on the animal.
If you’re bitten by a neighbor’s dog, or any other canine, you can take legal action after your injuries are treated.
What should you do if you are bitten or attacked by a dog?
According to North Carolina-based Kellum Law Firm, you should first seek immediate medical attention after a dog bite. If your injuries are severe, you should call 911.
If your bite does not require immediate medical attention, you can take the following steps, according to Cleveland Clinic:
Wash the wound with soap, and run warm tap water over it for five to 10 minutes
Slow the bleeding with a clean cloth
Apply over-the-counter antibiotic cream if you have it
Wrap your wound with a sterile bandage, and keep it bandaged before seeing a doctor
Change the bandage several times a day after your doctor looks at the wound
Watch for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, increased pain and fever
After your bite is treated, you should report the incident to authorities and gather evidence, such as taking pictures of your injuries, if you want to pursue legal action against the owner.
Are pet owners liable for injuries caused by their dogs in NC?
In North Carolina, pet owners can be held liable for any injuries their dogs cause to a person, another animal, or someone’s property, state law says.
According to state law, dogs are considered “dangerous” when they kill or seriously injure someone without provocation.
Dogs can be considered “potentially dangerous” if:
a bite from the dog results in broken bones, disfiguring lacerations or requires cosmetic surgery or hospitalization
they approach a person in a vicious or terrorizing manner
If the dangerous dog law does not apply, damages can still be recovered if the injured party proves that the animal was dangerous or vicious, and that the owner was aware of the animal’s behavior before the bite, according to Hardison & Cochran, a firm based in North Carolina.
Owners can also be held liable for dog bites if they were in violation of local laws, such as leash ordinances, at the time of the incident, the firm says.
This story was originally published November 1, 2023 at 7:10 AM with the headline "What can you do if you are bitten or attacked by a neighbor’s dog in NC? Your options."
