Severely Injured by a Dog Bite?

1. Identify, and if possible, isolate the dog/animal. If the animal has ID tags, record the information on the tags.
2. Get the name and contact information for the animal's owner, and any witnesses.
3. Note the location where the attack occurred.
4. Try to determine if the animal has been vaccinated against rabies and other diseases in order to evaluate your risks.
5. Evaluate and clean the wound.
6. If the bite is deep or will not stop bleeding, go immediately to the emergency room for treatment. Seek medical treatment immediately.
7. Following treatment, call Animal Control and the police (911) in the city where you live to report the event.
8. Photograph all injuries, torn or bloody clothing, or other possible evidence.
9. Do not sign anything, offer any apologies, or provide information to insurance companies, adjusters, witnesses or the animal's owner until you have talked to an attorney.

Unlike with no-fault coverage in an automobile crash, there is rarely money available right away to help with expenses. Sometimes there is a medical payment provision available to provide some coverage of expenses upfront through the animal owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance policy.

To obtain full compensation a claim needs to be filed with the animal owner's homeowner's insurance policy or rental insurance policy. These claims can take months, sometimes years, to fully resolve. Therefore, you will likely need to use your own health insurance coverage to treat your injuries.

Since dogs and other animals are considered property, you will look to the animal owner for compensation. You may be able to bring either or both of the following types of claims for compensation:

STRICT LIABILITY CLAIM: Under Minn. Stat. § 347.22, dog owners are liable for the injuries caused by their dog. This is a strict liability statute, which means that the dog owner is always liable unless the victim provoked the dog, or the victim was somewhere they should not lawfully be.

NEGLIGENCE CLAIM: For dogs and other types of animals, there is also a negligence claim against the owner. An owner who fails to exercise reasonable care in controlling their animal is negligent, and liable for injuries the animal causes. For some cases, punitive damages are also available.

If you are successful, the owner, or the owner's homeowner's or rental insurance, will provide payment for your damages.

If the attack occurred while you were walking your own dog, for example, and your dog was severely or critically injured, you may be able to obtain compensation for your animal's injuries. Since animals or pets are considered property, you would seek compensation through the attacking animal owner's homeowner's or rental insurance, to compensate you for the damage to your animal.