Steps to Take After a Dog Attack in Louisiana

Approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur annually in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While dogs are often considered beloved members of the family, they remain animals with unpredictable instincts. A sudden attack is not just physically painful, but can be a disorienting, traumatic event that can leave victims with lasting emotional scars and mounting medical debt.

However, the actions you take in the minutes and hours after an attack are critical, not just for your health, but for your ability to seek justice. At Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers, our Shreveport dog bite attorneys know that a successful legal claim is built on the evidence gathered in the hours and days following an attack.

Follow these essential steps to protect your health and your legal rights.

1. Prioritize Immediate Safety and First Aid

Your first instinct may be to confront the owner or check the dog’s collar, but your priority must be getting to a safe distance. Once you are out of the animal's reach, assess the severity of the wounds.

Medical experts at Johns Hopkins recommend specific first-aid steps to minimize long-term damage:

• Stop the bleeding: Use a clean cloth or sterile gauze to apply firm, direct pressure to the wound.
• Thorough cleaning: For shallow bites, wash the wound with mild soap and warm running water for at least 5 to 10 minutes. This duration is vital for flushing bacteria from the dog's saliva.
• Apply an antiseptic: If available, apply an antibiotic cream or ointment, then cover the area with a sterile bandage. Avoid using tape or butterfly bandages that "trap" bacteria inside the wound.

2. Seek Professional Medical Attention Quickly

Roughly 20% of dog bites become infected. Dog mouths are home to bacteria like Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. Even a bite that appears to be a minor puncture wound can drive bacteria deep into the tissue or joints.

You should seek urgent care or emergency medical help if:

• The bleeding won't stop after 15 minutes of pressure.
• The wound is deep, exposes bone/muscle, or is located on the face or neck.
• The victim is a child, an elderly person, or has a weakened immune system.
• You notice signs of infection (increased redness, swelling, warmth, or the presence of pus).

A doctor will provide a formal medical report, which is the most important piece of evidence in a personal injury claim. They will also determine whether you need a tetanus booster or a rabies vaccination series.

3. Identify the Owner and the Dog

If the owner is present, try to remain calm and collect the following information:

• The owner’s full name and contact details.
• The dog’s breed and vaccination history (specifically rabies).
• The homeowner’s insurance information (as most dog bite settlements are paid through insurance).

If there were witnesses to the attack, ask for their names and phone numbers. Their independent testimony can be invaluable if the owner later tries to claim you provoked the animal.

4. Document the Scene and Your Injuries

In the legal world, a picture is worth a thousand words. If you are physically able, use your phone to document everything:

• The injuries: Take clear, close-up photos of the wounds immediately after the attack and throughout the healing process.
• The scene: Photograph the area where the attack happened. Were there "Beware of Dog" signs or some other kind of warning? Was there a broken fence or a leash that snapped?
• The evidence: Photograph any torn clothing or bloodstained items. Do not wash these clothes; they may be used as evidence of the attack's violence.

5. Report the Incident to Local Authorities

Report the attack to Shreveport Animal Control or the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office. A formal report serves several purposes:

1. It creates a legal record of the date, time, and location.
2. It triggers an investigation into the dog's history of aggression.
3. It ensures the dog is quarantined if its vaccination status is unknown, potentially saving you from painful rabies treatments.

Understanding Louisiana Dog Bite Laws (Civil Code 2321)

Louisiana law regarding dog bites is unique. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2321, a dog owner is held to a standard of "strict liability", but subject to specific conditions. The owner is liable for damages if:

• The owner knew or should have known that the dog’s behavior was "vicious" or that the injury could have been prevented by reasonable care.
• The owner failed to exercise that reasonable care.
• The victim did not provoke the dog.

Proving that an owner "should have known" about a dog's tendencies requires a skilled, experienced Shreveport dog bite lawyer who can investigate the animal's history and the owner's prior negligence.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

Time is not on your side. In Louisiana, the prescriptive period (statute of limitations) for personal injury claims, such as dog bites, is generally two years for accidents occurring on or after July 1, 2024. If your injury occurred before this date, you may only have one year.

Waiting too long can result in lost evidence, fading witness memories, and the total loss of your right to seek compensation.

Protecting Your Rights and Your Future

For over 50 years, the attorneys at Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers have stood up for victims of negligence in Shreveport and throughout North Louisiana. We understand that a dog bite is more than just a physical wound, but a total disruption to your life. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. This allows you access to the region’s top-rated injury lawyers with no up-front costs.

If you’ve been attacked, take the first step toward justice today. Contact Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers for a free strategy session.