What to Do After a Dog Bite in California
A dog bite is frightening and can be more serious than it looks. What you do in the hours afterward protects both your health and any claim. Here is a clear order of operations.
Get medical care right away
Dog bites carry a real risk of infection, because punctures drive bacteria deep, and rabies is a concern if the dog's vaccination status is unknown. Get care promptly even for a bite that looks minor, and follow the treatment plan. This protects your health and documents the injury.
Identify the dog and its owner
If you can do so safely, get the owner's name, address, and phone number, and any vaccination information for the dog. Note a description of the dog. This is essential for a claim, since recovery usually comes through the owner's insurance.
Report the bite to animal control
Reporting creates an official record, helps confirm the dog's vaccination status and history, and can matter for both your treatment and a claim. Ask for a report number.
Document everything
Photograph your injuries — and keep photographing as they heal, since scarring evolves — and the location. Get witnesses' names and numbers, and keep torn clothing and anything else from the attack.
Be careful with the insurance company
You may hear from the owner's homeowner's insurer. You are generally not required to give a recorded statement, and it is usually wise not to before you understand your injuries — an early statement is often used to argue you provoked the dog.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need to see a doctor for a small bite?
Yes — even small-looking bites can become infected, and rabies is a concern if the dog's status is unknown. Prompt care protects your health and documents the injury.
The owner is a friend. Should I still report it?
Reporting to animal control creates an important record and helps confirm the dog's vaccination status. It is about safety and documentation, and the claim itself is usually paid by insurance, not your friend personally.
This article is general information about California injury law, not legal advice. Every case is different — talk to a lawyer about your situation.
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