What To Do If You Or A Family Member Is Bitten By A Dog
As much as we like to think that a dog is “man’s best friend”, there are some dogs that can be vicious and dangerous. Some dogs are capable of killing or inflicting serious injury to a person. Even in situations where a dog may appear to be calm, there’s always the chance that something in the environment can cause it to attack at a moment’s notice.
In the state of Virginia, a “dangerous dog” is defined as “a canine or canine crossbreed that has bitten, attacked, or inflicted injury on a person or companion animal that is a dog or cat…” (Code § 3.2-6540)
If you have been bitten by a dog in the city of Richmond, one of the first steps to take is to call the local animal control at 804-646-5573. The responding officer(s) will investigate and may confine the dog or ask the owner of the dog to confine it. If the injuries from the dog bite involve severe cuts or lacerations, seek prompt medical attention and take photographs of the injuries just in case you may need to go to court. It would be up to the court to decide whether or not the dog is a threat to public safety.
Learn more about dog bite accidents in Virginia.