Reporting a Dog Bite

A Vancouver dog bite lawyer can help you get justice

Dog bites can be traumatic and knowing what steps to take afterward is important for both your safety and the community’s. Reporting a dog bite isn’t just about documenting the event; it plays an important role in public health, safety, and legal accountability. In Washington state, reporting a dog bite may also be required in some cases.

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Vancouver, WA, you need a dedicated dog bite lawyer who can protect your legal rights. The Scott Law Firm, PLLC, is here to help. We can investigate the incident, advise you about your legal options moving forward, and handle every aspect of your case from start to finish.

Should I report a dog bite?

After a dog bite, the first question that comes to mind is whether you should report it. The answer is almost always “yes.” Reporting a dog bite can help prevent future incidents. Dog bite reports provide authorities with information they need to investigate and determine whether the dog poses a continued risk to others. Dogs that have a history of aggression or have bitten multiple times can be flagged as dangerous, which may require the owner to take extra precautions.

If the bite is serious enough to require medical treatment, a report helps track the dog’s vaccination history, particularly for rabies. Washington state law requires all dogs to be vaccinated against rabies. If the dog’s vaccination status is unknown or not up to date, health authorities may need to take action to prevent rabies exposure. Reporting is also a way to ensure that public health agencies can follow up and reduce the risk of infectious diseases spreading from the bite.

Additionally, reporting can help protect your rights. If the dog owner is found liable for the bite, you may be eligible to receive compensation for things like medical bills, pain and suffering, any residual scarring or disfigurement, as well as things like lost wages and other damages. Having an official report can strengthen your personal injury claim if you choose to pursue legal action.

Are you required to report a dog bite in Washington?

While there is no statewide mandate to report dog bites, some cities and counties in Washington have ordinances that require you to report them to animal control authorities. These reports help local authorities track incidents of dog bites, assess the risk of future attacks, and ensure that dangerous dogs (as well as the dog’s owners) are handled appropriately. You can contact your local animal control office to confirm the rules in your area.

Where do I report dog bites?

If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog and you wish to report it, your local animal control office is a good place to start. Animal control officers perform mainly an administrative function and are responsible for investigating dog bites and determining whether the dog involved poses a danger to others.

If there is any suspicion that a dog involved in a bite may not be vaccinated against rabies, it’s also important to report the bite to your local health department. Rabies exposure is a serious concern, and early intervention can be lifesaving. In such cases, animal control may also want to quarantine the dog for observation or recommend rabies treatment for the victim.

In cases that result in serious injury or where the owner is not cooperative, you may need to involve law enforcement. Police can assist in filing a report and ensuring that animal control or public health authorities are notified. This is particularly important if the dog is aggressive or the owner is unresponsive.

Let a skilled Vancouver dog bite lawyer fight for your rights

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Washington, don’t wait to take action for both your health and legal protection. Dog bites can cause severe injuries, often leaving victims with life-long scars both physically and mentally, and the burden can be overwhelming.

Following a dog bite or attack, you may have the right to seek compensation from the dog’s owner for things like your medical expenses, lost time from work, disability, disfigurement, pain and suffering, and other damages that are related. An experienced Vancouver dog bite attorney can fight to hold the dog’s owner accountable and get the compensation the law allows you to receive.

Dog bite attorney Colin Scott is committed to helping victims of dog attacks in the State of Washington, including Southwest Washington, Clark County and the City of Vancouver. He has extensive knowledge of Washington’s dog bite laws and a proven track record of success in handling these cases. That includes a $305,000 recovery on behalf of a child who suffered injuries due to a dog attack and numerous other six figure recoveries for victims of dog bites.

If you or a loved one was bitten or attacked by a dog, don’t wait to get in touch with a lawyer. Protect your legal rights by contacting The Scott Law Firm today and schedule your free consultation. Our law firm operates on a performance fee basis, meaning there’s no upfront cost to you and we only get paid if we recover money for our clients.