As pet owners, we adore everything about our puppies or adult dogs. Even a calmer dog can bite aggressively. Dogs can bite for many different reasons. Dogs may seem cute, but their bites are not. So, if your dog’s biting appears on someone’s skin, take immediate action to prevent bigger threats.
Dogs bite when they sense threats or get frightened, stressed, or excited. So, if your dog bites someone, knowing what to do at that moment is crucial. Try not to get involved in any heated conversations, get medical help for the victim, etc.
In this blog, we will bring the light into this matter “what to do if your dog bites someone?”
8 Things to Do When Your Dog Bites Someone
Your dog is the prettiest creature on earth, but their bite can’t be. If your dog starts to bite out of the blue or shows no alarming signs, then it’s important to understand dog behavior.
It’s important to take immediate action when your dog’s biting appears on someone’s skin. Follow these easy steps to act when your dog accidentally or aggressively bites someone.
1. Restrain Your Dog
After a dog’s bite, it’s important to restrain your dog not to bite again. Move your dog or the victim from the scene to another place. Dogs intend to bite sometimes out of fear, terror, or anxiety that might result in biting. For instance, remove your dog from the place or the victim immediately. Call animal control if you don’t pull through your dog to prevent it from biting.
2. Avoid Arguments
After a dog bite, it is natural for the victim to react aggressively. After getting bitten by your dog, some people may say upsetting words. Some people get way more offensive.
In this situation, don’t get involved in any kind of argument. Be concerned that this heated situation may lead you to bigger arguments, which may provoke your dog to bite again.
3. Know What Triggers Your Dog
Your dog can bite for many reasons. Dogs may bite out of pain, fear, anxiety, or arousal. Different dogs have different types of triggers or emotions.
Acknowledge your dog’s emotional signs and triggers and how they react to them. Before biting occurs, growling, snarling, or snapping could be the sign they may bite afterward.
Sometimes, insecurities also insinuate them biting someone. When these signs surface, keep your dog away from the scene. For example, some dogs snap when someone rides a bicycle, which triggers them to chase and bite.
4. Remain Calm
If your dog bites someone, try not to panic. Stay calm and handle the situation thoroughly. Try to remove your dog from that area. Don’t get involved in any kind of argument or get upset. Dogs can read us very profoundly. So, if your dog senses you are getting upset, it might try to bite again. Don’t try to civilize any heated conversations at that moment.
5. Don’t Try To Run
Don’t escape from the spot if your dog bites someone without any valid reason. Even if the bite isn’t lethal, try to get help for the victim. But running from the spot without acknowledging the accident can lead to a personal injury trial or insurance settlement. That can cost you to pay more damages.
Also, don’t lie about being in the accident spot. Lying can be seen as denying the accident. If things go beyond your hand, report them to the police, your insurance company, or your medical provider. However, don’t discuss anything before talking to your attorney.
6. Get Help for the Victim
If someone gets bitten by your dog, don’t be late to get medical help. The bite may cause severe injury to the victim’s body. Primarily, help that person clean the wounded area with mild soap and water.
Then, seek out medical help for the victim. A dog’s bite can worsen if it isn’t taken seriously. Also, pay the medical expenses and take care of other things if needed. Later on, it may involve some criminal charges.
7. Exchange Contact Information
Your dog’s bite might not be severe, but it would be helpful to contact the victim afterward. Get the victim’s name, number, and email so you can send your dog’s vaccination records. If things lead to court, you can use the victim’s testimonial.
8. Notify the Nearest Police Station
Even if biting may not be anything serious, the victim can turn the game to their side. So, get a police report, just in case. Though it might feel daunting to report to the police, that can save you from any charges. Getting a police report occurs when an accident is officially seen or recorded by an unbiased third party, which can help prevent any legal charges.
Why Do Dogs Bite?
Dogs tend to bite to show their aggression, excitement, fear, and pain. In order to stop biting, it’s crucial to understand their behavior. Dogs may bite due to these situations:
Defensive: Dogs may bite to protect themselves from threats. They will try to groan, growl, and snap before biting. The urge to protect their puppies from threats also provokes them to bite sometimes.
Getting Startled: Sneaking up on dogs might make them bite.
Pain: Sometimes, getting them hurt, even if not intentionally, can make your dog bite.
Illness: If your dog is in pain, not feeling well enough to get cozying up with you, it makes them irritable. At times, they might bite you out of aggression to form their irritations.
Fear: Dogs may fear in various situations. To defend themselves from some foreign situations, they might be frightened, which can also make them bite.
Conclusion
If your dog has a habit of biting, be careful when you take them for a walk or visit a place. There is no harm in knowing about what should be done at this moment. If your dog bites someone out of the ordinary, then try to remain calm because not calming the situation may provoke your dog to bite again.
Also, apologize to the victim and seek out medical help even if they don’t want to. If that matter isn’t taken seriously, it can be dangerous afterward. Also, don’t forget to exchange contact details, it might come in handy later. Last but not least, don’t forget to report to the police. In case of some legal charges, it will work as a proof.
If your dog’s biting happens frequently, try to understand what could be the possible reason for reacting this way. Dogs may bite out of fear, anxiety, illness, etc. But underlying these issues resolve you and your dog’s life for better growth.
