How To Report A Dog Bite To Animal Control In Riverside County

If you were recently bitten by a dog in Riverside County, you must know that you are obligated to report the incident. The Riverside County Department of Animal Services can be reached at 951-358-7387 to file a report. Unlike many other counties in California, Riverside maintains the reporting system for the entire county, including Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Temecula, Murrieta, Jurupa Valley, Hemet, and Palm Springs. So, there are no other calls you will need to make after speaking with the staff at Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

If you are concerned about reporting the incident to animal control and want to know what information they will gather and why, the expert legal staff at Kenmore Law Group can be reached 24/7 to help. We know that in many cases, the victim of the dog bite knows the dog that bit them and the owner and could be worried about what will happen to the dog after their report is filed. Typically, cases are investigated within 24 hours, and dogs who are not considered violent or at high risk for a health issue such as rabies are quarantined in the care of their owner. But that choice is left up to the discretion of the investigating officer.

In addition to answering your questions about reporting a Riverside County dog bite, the staff at Kenmore Law Group is happy to provide a free consultation for you to meet with a skilled and successful dog bite attorney to discuss the details of your case further. They will gather more information regarding the dog bite incident and then answer your case-specific questions, such as an estimate of the time needed to resolve the lawsuit and the potential value of your Riverside County dog bite lawsuit.

Please make the time today to reach out to Kenmore Law Group to learn more about your rights as a dog bite victim, how to report the incident to authorities properly, and how our staff of expert dog bite lawyers can help you seek the justice you deserve. We can be reached 24/7, and your consultation is always free.

Critical Information About All Dog Bites
Most people envision catastrophic harm and injuries when they think of a dog bite. However, those incidents are far rarer than dog bites, resulting in minor damage. There are roughly 4.5 million dog bites in the nation each year, with about 48,600 occurring in California and requiring an emergency room visit. Most of these hospital-treated wounds are not considered life-threatening or severe. However, if they become infected, a minor dog bite can become deadly.

While many still believe the old wives’ tale that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s, this is invalid. Dogs carry many bacteria in their saliva that pose no risk to them but will make a human very ill. Even dogs with up-to-date shots and medical care could still carry bacteria that would cause strep, staph, or cellulitis infections in a person. A dog that is not properly vaccinated can also transmit rabies to a human through its saliva.

In addition, you need to understand that it only takes a microscopic amount of saliva in a tiny puncture wound to result in a severe infection. Once the dog’s tooth breaks the skin, you are prone to infection, even if the wound is not bleeding and appears very minor. It is vital all dog bites get proper cleaning and treatment to lessen the chance of a severe illness. In addition, the incident must be reported to the Riverside County Department of Animal Services to ensure that the animal is investigated to ensure its health and safety. If you are unsure how to clean or treat a dog bite wound, it is always best to seek assistance from a healthcare professional to prevent further complications due to infection or disease.

Basic Dog Bite First Aid
Cleaning a dog bite wound quickly and properly is the best way to prevent complications, even when the injury appears to be minor. If you cannot get home or to a place to clean the wound, contact 911 for medical assistance. In addition, if you have suffered a dog bite when you are alone and have no one to help you clean and dress the wound, get to a medical facility for help or call 911 if you cannot get to a clinic for help.

If you are prepared to clean and dress a minor dog bite wound, these steps will significantly reduce the chance of infection:

• Flush the wound and surrounding area with warm water for five to ten minutes
• Wash the wound and surrounding area carefully with mild soap and rinse with warm water
• Apply gentle pressure with a clean bandage or cloth to stop any minor bleeding
• Cover the wound with antibiotic cream and then cover the area with a clean, dry bandage
• Monitor the victim for several days for indications of an infection that can include a fever, increased pain, redness, swelling, or secretions in or around the wound
• If you discover any of the signs of an infection, seek immediate emergency medical care

Gathering Essential Information After A Riverside County Dog Bite
The priority after suffering a dog bite is always the care and health of the victim and others nearby whom the dog could bite. However, once these issues have been addressed, it is vital to gather information that could be beneficial if the victim files a dog bite lawsuit, which will also likely be required when making the report of the dog bite to the county.

• Take pictures of the dog bite wound and any other injuries that the victim suffered during the incident, such as cuts or bruises from falling – get these photos as soon as possible after the dog bite
• If you can get a photo of the dog, that could also be helpful
• Even if you have pictures of the dog involved, make a detailed description that includes the breed, size, color, any identifying features or markings, and items such as a collar or tags
• If you know where the dog lives or its owner, list that information
• Gather contact information and a brief written statement from anyone who witnesses the dog bite incident
• Continue to take pictures of your wound and any other injuries as they change in appearance and keep a written log of any non-visual issues you experience, such as a headache, chills, sore back, or neck that could be indications of additional injuries suffered in the incident
• Keep copies of all medical records, receipts, and information related to the dog bite wound or other injuries related to the incident
• Make a list of any work time that you miss due to the dog bite injuries or to attend medical appointments related to the injuries from this incident

Who Should Pay For My Medical Bills And Other Expenses?
California is a strict liability state when evaluating harm or damage caused by a dog. The owner of a dog is typically financially responsible for any harm or damage they cause. The rare exceptions to this guideline are when the victim was abusing or hurting the dog at the time of the dog bite or if the victim was illegally on the property when they were bit. For example, you are not liable for the medical bills if your dog bites a person who is breaking into your home or if a person comes on your property and is beating or abusing your dog. However, the owner is liable when the dog and victim are on private or public property, and one of the exceptions does not apply.

How Much Is A Riverside Dog Bite Lawsuit Worth?
The value of any lawsuit will be based on the losses and harm suffered by the victim. In dog bite cases, the common expenses and losses included in the compensation are:

• All medical expenses
• Lost wages or income
• The value of any personal property damaged in the incident
• All legal costs
• Possible compensation for pain and suffering

How Long Do I Have To File a Dog Bite Lawsuit?
A dog bite lawsuit is considered a personal injury matter and provides the victim a time limit of two years from the incident to file their claim with the court. If your Riverside dog bite lawsuit is not filed within that time, you lose the right ever to take legal action for the losses and harm of that event. It is also important to note that the time needed to resolve the case can vary based on factors such as the court’s workload and the defendant’s actions. So, contact Kenmore Law Group as soon as possible to ensure your compensation is secured as quickly as possible.

No Upfront Legal Fees
The Kenmore Law Group staff understands that suffering a dog bite injury could create many financial hardships. Knowing that our firm never charges upfront legal fees that could prevent you from getting the legal services needed to seek the justice and compensation owed to you. We only get paid after you have the compensation needed to cover your expenses. In addition, you owe us nothing if we fail to win your Riverside dog bite lawsuit and get you the compensation you need to pay our firm.

Please make the time to contact our staff today to learn more about reporting your dog bite to Riverside County Department of Animal Services and getting the funds needed to pay your medical bills and expenses.