blog home Personal Injury Someone’s Dog Just Bit You—Should You Be Concerned About Rabies?

Someone’s Dog Just Bit You—Should You Be Concerned About Rabies?

By Joseph Low on May 15, 2022

person petting cute corgi dog

California Dog Bite Cases

The friendliest dogs can act out of character if they are startled or feel threatened in some way. When animal instinct takes over to defend or protect, the friendliest family dog can turn aggressive. A dog bite is painful, and the experience traumatic. The good news is that most domesticated dogs are vaccinated. The bad news is that not all pet owners are responsible for keeping their furry friends up to date with their shots. If a dog has bitten you, you should clean the wound as effectively as possible and head to the nearest healthcare facility.

Facts About Rabies

Rabies is a viral illness that infects the central nervous system of mammals and presents with neurological symptoms. Most reported cases of rabies develop in wild animals like raccoons or foxes. The first signs of the virus are fever and headache which appear before the telltale symptoms of aggression, delirium, insomnia, throat pain, and the inability to swallow. Once excessive saliva production occurs, this virus is usually fatal. Excessive saliva is more commonly referred to as “foaming at the mouth.” It is very rare that a human contracts rabies- with one to three cases reported annually to the CDC. So, while it is not probable that you may contract rabies from a dog bite, it is possible.

Take Action Right After a Dog Bite

It is impossible to know if a strange dog has or has not been exposed to or vaccinated against rabies. If you or your loved one was bitten or scratched by a dog whose rabies status is unknown, seek medical treatment immediately. Your doctor may recommend treatment with Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis, or PEP, which is a series of injections of human rabies immune globulin given in intervals.

If the animal has an owner, you are within your rights to collect their information and request immunization records. The state of California has a strict liability statute when a dog bites someone. It holds the owners responsible for the actions of their pets. They must also quarantine the dog away from others for ten days to verify that the animal does not have rabies. A Long Beach dog bite attorney can help you sort through the legal complexities in the aftermath of such a traumatic experience.

Call Low

At the Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV our extensive knowledge of California dog bite statutes enables us to protect the rights of victims. Medical treatment is never cheap. The owner of a dog who has bitten you or your loved one can be held accountable for damages, including medical bills and the emotional toll of the incident. Attorney Low will build your case and work to recover a settlement on your behalf. Give our office a call to schedule a free consultation. We can evaluate your case and recommend the next steps to take to get you on the road to recovery. Call (562) 901-0840 or toll-free (888) 454-5569.

Posted in: Personal Injury


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