Reporting a Dog Attack in Virginia: Your Rights and Responsibilities

A dog attack can be a traumatic experience, leaving victims with physical and emotional scars. In Virginia, as in many other states, there are laws and regulations in place to protect individuals who have been attacked by dogs. Reporting a dog attack is not only important for your potential personal injury case, but also for the safety of your community.

What to Do After a Virginia Dog Attack

Your safety and well-being should be your top priority in the aftermath of a Virginia dog attack. Here are the immediate steps to take:

Seek Medical Attention: If you’ve been injured in a dog attack, it’s crucial to seek medical care immediately. Even seemingly minor wounds can lead to infections, and dog bites can cause serious injuries. Prompt medical attention is not only essential for your health but also for documenting your injuries.

Contact Animal Control: Local animal control departments in Virginia are responsible for enforcing dog-related laws and regulations. Find the contact information for your local animal control agency and report the incident. As well, the medical facility where you received treatment is required to report the attack to the Virginia Department of Health.

Reach Out to a Lawyer: A Virginia dog bite lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options, ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages,, and other damages resulting from the attack. They have the expertise to navigate the complex legal landscape, including the specific dog bite laws in Virginia.

Virginia Dog Bite Laws and Your Rights

Virginia has specific laws regarding dog attacks and dog owner responsibilities. The state follows a “one-bite rule,” meaning that a dog owner may be liable for injuries caused by their dog if they were aware of the dog’s aggressive tendencies or had knowledge of a previous bite or attack. Even if the dog does not have a violent past, negligent owners can still be held liable if a law was broken at the time of the attack.

As a victim of a dog attack in Virginia, you have certain rights, including:

Right to Compensation: You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the attack, particularly if the dog owner was negligent.

Right to Legal Action: You have the right to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the dog owner if their negligence led to the attack. Consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal options.

Right to Safety: Reporting the incident helps ensure the safety of your community. If the dog is deemed dangerous or aggressive, local authorities can take appropriate measures to protect others from future attacks.

Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog bites are scary, and they often leave more questions than answers. If you or someone you love has been bitten by someone else’s dog, consider scheduling a free consultation with our team (757) 233-0009. The Serpe Firm legal team has successfully settled Virginia dog bite cases for children, USPS mail carriers, FedEX and UPS drivers, delivery drivers, joggers, neighbors, innocent bystanders and more.