My Child Was Bitten By a Dog – What Do I Do Next?”
| Step | Why This is Crucial for a Child |
|---|---|
| 1. Seek Medical Attention | Infection Prevention: Children’s immune systems are still developing. Dog mouths contain bacteria (like Pasteurella) that can cause rapid, severe infections in deep puncture wounds common in small limbs. Scarring Mitigation: Immediate professional cleaning and suturing (if needed) minimizes long-term scarring, which can be emotionally difficult for a child as they grow. |
| 2. Exchange Information | Avoid Unnecessary Treatment: Knowing the owner allows you to verify vaccination history. Without this information, doctors may be forced to administer a series of painful Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) shots to the child as a precaution. |
| 3. Report to Authorities | Public Record & Safety: Reporting establishes a paper trail. If the dog has a history of aggression, this report helps Animal Control take measures to prevent the dog from biting your child (or other children in the neighborhood) again. |
| 4. Cooperate with Quarantine | Rabies Verification: The 10-day observation period is the gold standard for ruling out rabies. Confirming the dog is healthy after 10 days provides 100% medical certainty that the child is safe from the virus. |
| 5. Know Legal Rights | Future Medical Needs: Children may require future medical care such as scar revision surgery or therapy for cynophobia (fear of dogs). NJ’s Strict Liability laws ensure the owner’s insurance covers these long-term costs, protecting the family’s finances. |
The Steps to Protect Your Child After a Dog Attack In Detail:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even if the injury looks minor, dog bites carry a high risk of infection.- First Aid: Wash the wound gently with soap and warm water immediately. Apply pressure with a clean cloth to stop any bleeding.
- See a Doctor: Visit a doctor or urgent care as soon as possible. In New Jersey, physicians are legally required to report dog bites to the local health department (usually within 12 hours), which initiates the necessary safety protocols.
- Rabies Assessment: Medical professionals will determine if a rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is necessary based on the dog’s vaccination status.
2. Exchange Information & Evidence
Treat this like a car accident. You need to identify the dog and the owner to ensure your child’s safety regarding rabies and for potential medical coverage.- Get Particulars: Obtain the owner’s name, address, and phone number.
- Vaccination Proof: Ask specifically for the rabies vaccination certificate. Do not just take their word for it; ask to see the tag or the paper record.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the wound, the location where it happened, and the dog (if safe to do so).
3. Report the Incident to Local Authorities
In New Jersey, reporting a dog bite is a crucial legal and public health step.- Who to Call: Contact the local Health Department, Animal Control, or the local Police Department (non-emergency line if not critical).
- Why it Matters: Reporting creates an official record. This triggers the local Health Officer to issue a quarantine order (see Step 4), which is the only way to officially verify if the dog is healthy and if your child is safe from rabies without undergoing painful shots.
4. Cooperate with the 10-Day Quarantine
New Jersey law requires that any dog that bites a person be quarantined for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status.- What to Expect: In most cases, the dog is allowed to complete this quarantine at the owner’s home. It does not necessarily mean the dog is taken away or put down.
- The Process: An Animal Control Officer (ACO) will visit the dog at the beginning and end of the 10 days to ensure it is not showing signs of rabies. If the dog remains healthy for 10 days, there is no risk of rabies transmission to your child.
5. Know Your Legal Rights Under New Jersey’s Strict Liability Statute
New Jersey is a “Strict Liability” state for dog bites (N.J.S.A. 4:19-16).- What this Means: The dog owner is liable for your child’s injuries even if the dog has never bitten anyone before and even if the owner took reasonable precautions. There is no “one free bite” rule in NJ.
- Next Steps: Keep records of all medical bills, co-pays, and lost work time for parents. You may want to consult a New Jersey dog bite attorney to ensure the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance covers these medical costs.
