What to Do If You Are Bitten or Attacked By Someone Else's Dog in Ontario

1) Remember to Keep the Dog Owner's Full name and home address:  This is extremely important if you want to make a damage claim for a serious injury, and also for knowing the dog's medical and vaccination records. Be assertive and get this crucial information. The best practice is to keep a photo of the dog owner's driver's license.

If the dog owner is not co-operating or evading the scene in a serious dog bite incident, call 911 without delay and tell them that dog owner is evading, and then follow their guidelines.

2) Visit the Doctor As Soon as Possible: For a serious dog attack injury or if unsure, go straight to the hospital emergency. Call 911 if necessary. Save all medical records, and follow doctor's advice closely. Your proper treatment also ensures your just compensation after a serious dog bite accident.

3) Report the Dog Bite Incident to the Local Animal Control: Search internet or just call us at 289-678-1637 and we will help you find your local animal control to report a dog bite injury. This starts an investigation and record preservation that may be handy later on for your damage claim. It also starts preventive measures and by-law enforcement that is conducive to the community's safety.

4) Start Preserving Evidence:

• Take ample pictures and videos of the injury, location and surroundings. Take note of any available video surveillance. Write down or take picture of anything you think relevant to the dog attack injury. Save all written and hard evidence like torn clothes, emergency and medical records etc.
• If there is any witnesses to the incident, keep their full names, phone numbers and if possible, email addresses.

IF YOUR INJURY IS SERIOUS, THEN AVOID THESE COMMON TRAPS :

1. Do NOT Let the Dog Owner Escape: The dog owner, if unknown or a stranger, may conveniently try to escape the scene.  Sometimes they play the trick of just giving their first name only and their phone number, which may not be enough to trace them out at a later date. DO NOT LET THEM GO AWAY without providing you their full name, phone number and home address so that you can follow up at a later stage for a possible damage claim.  And we literally mean that the dog owner must give their full legal name and address to you. Calling the authority or the police at a later time, though may be a good step to take, may not help much in finding the dog owner's identity if you do not get it at the scene in the first place. Police usually takes a bit lackadaisical view in a dog bite case unless the injury is truly egregious and the local Animal Control is often constrained by limited resources. So often times, an escaped dog owner simply remains unidentified, and no civil claim can be made. And even if the authority finds the dog owner, because of various out-of-reality privacy legislations, it can take a lot of pain, money, clearing of red-tapes and many months or even years to get the dog owner's name and address from the authority, unless you obtain this necessary information from the dog owner upfront.
   

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2. Do NOT Settle Cheap: The dog owner may offer you medical expense and a few trivia, and playing the caring person's role, coax you to drop the case. DO NOT FALL INTO THIS, for almost certainly you will end up in a measly bargain, and will get a fraction of what you are entitled to, especially if the dog attack injury is serious. If your injury is serious, getting a just and full compensation after a proper assessment by an expert dog bite lawyer is your civil right- do not let anyone feel you bad about seeking your civil right.
   

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3. Do NOT Talk with Dog Owner's Insurance: Dog owner's insurer may start communicating with you, obtaining evidences, asking for statements etc. DO NOT TALK WITH THEM. They may appear awesome friendly, but their sole goal is to deny liability or minimize your damage recovery. Do not fall prey to dog owner's insurer's direct wheedling, especially if your dog bite injury is serious. What you say to them may destroy your rightful case before you know it. They are trained professionals thoroughly advised by lawyers to protect their interest.

Dog Bites can be infectious, so do not take it lightly.

If a dog bites or attacks you and breaks the skin:

1. Seek medical attention from a doctor asap. Do not hesitate to go to hospital emergency as this may prevent more critical and permanent injuries. Call 911 if the injury is serious.
2. While waiting for the doctor or paramedics, if possible, wash the bite and wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.  And then apply an antiseptic to the wound if available.

Dog bites can also crack bones, cause backbone injury, head injury or other serious medical conditions. For all such matters, call 911 and go to the hospital emergency without delay.