What to Do After a New York Dog Bite Accident
They say dogs are man’s best friend. Unfortunately, cute sayings are not enough to keep horrible accidents from happening. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 5 people require medical attention after being bitten by a dog. It can be incredibly stressful and frightening to deal with a dog bite accident. In the state of New York, you may be able to file a claim against the dog’s owner if you feel they were responsible for your unprovoked attack.
Talk to the Owner
After a dog bite, you should try to identify the owner as soon as possible. You will want to collect their contact information if you are planning on taking legal action. At the very 
minimum, you should take down their name and address. You should also confirm that the dog is up to date on all its vaccines. The owner may need to monitor the dog for signs of rabies if it has missed its recent shots. Seek medical attention within 24 hours of the bite, before it has a chance to get infected.
Report the Bite
All animal bites that occur in the city of New York must be reported. You have 24 hours from the incident to file a report, and you can do so online. City officials will then ensure that the animal does not pose any additional threat by meeting up with both the dog owner and the victim. A stray dog will be euthanized and tested for rabies after being reported.
Collect Evidence
Even if you do not plan on pressing charges, you should begin collecting as much evidence as you can immediately. Take photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, and any other relevant information. Documenting property damage or damage to clothing is also crucial. Medical records, lost time and wages from work, and therapy for emotional distress also all count as pieces of evidence. Reach out to any potential witnesses. You may even want to ask nearby business owners if their surveillance cameras caught the incident on tape. Remember to take down any witnesses’ contact information in case you need to reach out to them again later.
You may not plan to pursue legal action until you find your injuries worsening. That is why you should begin collecting evidence as soon as you can. When it comes to documenting proof, it is always harder to act retroactively. The statute of limitations for filing a dog bite lawsuit in New York is three years from the date of the incident. Act expediently.
Seeking Legal Help
If you or a loved one were recently involved in a dog bite accident, we at Gattuso & Ciottoli, PLLC may be able to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced New York dog bite accident attorneys. We draw on over 50 years of combined legal experience to serve you as best we can. We proudly serve the Central New York area, including Syracuse, Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, North Syracuse, Camillus, Liverpool, Cortland, and Auburn.