You taught your children to be careful around dogs, especially when you have not met the dog or its owner before. But no matter how cautious you are, a dog could still bite your child and give him painful wounds that lead to scars. If the dog has a disease like rabies, your child will need shots right away.
Treating a child’s dog bite wounds
If your child is ever caught in a dog bite attack, there are things you can do to treat their injuries right away and reduce the chances of infection:
- Put a clean towel over the wound to stop the bleeding
- Keep the injured area elevated, if the child can
- Wash the bite with soap and water
- Apply a sterile bandage
- While the wound is healing, apply antibiotic ointment every day
More serious wounds may require a trip to the emergency room. Signs you should bring your child to the hospital include a wound that will not stop bleeding, a deep bite, and signs of infection. If possible, find out if the dog is up to date on its vaccinations, including for rabies, and let the doctor know. Also tell the doctor about any health conditions your child has that could suppress their immune system and complicate recovery.
Holding dog owners responsible
Dog owners in Connecticut have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to keep their animals from biting people. Examples include walking the dog on a leash, training it to obey their commands, and erecting appropriate fencing around the yard to keep it from wandering. Unfortunately, many dog owners fail to live up to their responsibilities. As a result, innocent people get attacked by dogs whose owners did not control them.
This is why Connecticut’s personal injury law allows dog bite victims to seek financial recovery from the owners of the animal that injured them. When the victim is a child, their parents can take legal action. Besides the cost of your child’s medical care, you may be able to get compensation for the pain and suffering they have endured.