If you live in Pennsylvania and you or your family member was bitten by a dog, you should report the incident to the police. Attacks from dogs identified as dangerous should also be reported to the state dog warden, who must investigate all reports. Medical professionals in some counties are required to report a dog bite, but you can also make a report to the Department of Public Health. The Department of Public Health will be able to track and report if the dog has rabies.
You’ll want to have this documented as you may not initially know what the long-term consequences of the attack may be. Especially if the attack was on a child, which is often the case, the psychological issues may not be immediately clear. Reporting may also help to develop a history of aggression with a dog. Knowing if the dog has attacked before may be information that is relevant to your case.
What information should you provide?
It will be important to write down your personal account as soon as you are able to so that details are not forgotten. Provide this statement to the police. You also will want to provide any information you’ve gathered on who owns the dog. If you know the breed of the dog or what the dog looked like, write this down. Where the dog attack occurred, what you were doing before the attack, and what happened after are all valuable details. If there were any witnesses to the attack, it’s a good idea to get their contact information and copies of their statements as well.
When Should You Report the Dog Attack?
It is important to report the confrontation as soon as possible. Any medical needs will be your first concern but file a report as soon as you are able to. There is a statute of limitations in Pennsylvania for dog bite claims. File a claim within two years from the date of injury. If the victim is a child, the child will have two years to file a claim from their 18th birthday. There may be exceptions to the statute of limitations, so it is best to seek the advice of a specialized dog bite lawyer.
If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog, contact Pennsylvania’s only dog bite lawyer, Jeffrey H. Penneys. Dog bite cases can be complex and you’ll want an experienced and skilled attorney working for you to guide you throughout the process. You may be eligible for compensation for the attack and we want to get you what you deserve. Contact us today, so we can start working on your case.