Dogs are known to be the most loving, affectionate, loyal pals and friendly animals. They are protective towards their masters and territory, they are especially known for being courageous and they possess qualities like patience, intelligence and gentleness. There are dogs of different breeds like German shepherds, Labradors, Pugs, Rottweilers etc, and they possess different characteristics.
Dogs were the first animals that were allowed to keep as house pets. Dogs may be friendly and loyal at times but they can be harsh and unfriendly towards people and can cause them harm. Dogs especially attack people when they sense some kind of danger around them and that’s why people keep dogs mostly as their pets at home so that they can guard the house. Dogs can let the owners know that there’s some kind of danger. So if you get bitten by a dog you must take the necessary steps, as it can cause severe damage to your body and you may need immediate medical assistance.
Steps to do if your neighbour’s dog bites you:
This article aims to provide you with a comprehensive guide on what to do if you find yourself in such a situation.
Your neighbour’s details
You must know the details of your neighbour and their pet, it is necessary because if the dog is on the loose you must know your neighbour’s details so that they can retrieve the animal.
You should also ask the information about their dog’s vaccination history so that you can determine the risk of rabies or other infections. If the owner is unavailable and the dog is stray contact the local animal control or the authorities and report the incident.
Assess the severity of the bite
The first thing you need to do when you are bitten by a dog is to check on your wound if there is no bleeding or any tissue damage you can go ahead and clean the wound yourself. If there is a lot of bleeding and the bite is too deep, there is a risk of the infection increasing and it’s crucial for you to seek immediate medical attention.
Ensure your safety
After being bitten by a dog make sure that you’re in no way near that dog because there is a high chance that it will attack you again, so it’s better if you move to a safe location and create a distance between you and the dog. Do not engage or provoke the animal cause it can get very aggressive and can cause you harm in seconds.
Cleaning of the wound
If the bite is minor and there’s not much bleeding, you can start cleaning the wound yourself gently and with care with mild soap and warm water to remove dirt and debris. After that apply antiseptic cream or ointment on the wound and cover it with a clean bandage it’s also okay if you don’t want to cover it because wounds tend to heal faster when they are not covered, then after that, you need to keep a close check on the wound if there is an increase in redness, swelling or pus there’s a high chance of infection you need to seek medical attention on that it can be serious.
Need of Medical Attention:
Medical attention is necessary regardless of the severity of the bite, you need to seek medical attention to assess the risk of infection and receive appropriate treatment. A healthcare professional may check on the wound and clean it up for you and will provide you with a shot of tetanus prophylaxis if necessary and prescribe painkillers or antibiotics for the infection. They will also need to run some tests like rabies assessment based on the circumstances of the bite.
Reporting the incident:
Reporting a dog bite incident is very important for the safety of others in the neighbourhood. Call the authorities and contact the local animal control and report the incident and provide them with the information that you have gathered. This helps and ensures that the dog is monitored and appropriate actions are taken to prevent future incidents.
Consider psychological support:
Getting bitten by a dog can be a traumatic experience and it’s very common to have that fear and anxiousness, you may not be able to feel the same way you used to feel about dogs.
After the incident, you will fear going near dogs even if they are friendly. Going to counselling or a therapist can help you overcome that fear and can provide guidance and tools to manage anxiety, post-traumatic stress or any other challenges or problems you face.
Learn from the experience:
Use this dog bite experience to educate and keep yourself safe. This can help you interact with dogs safely and understand the behaviour of the dog if the dog may be feeling threatened or aggressive. This knowledge will not only help protect yourself but also contribute to safer interactions with dogs in general.
Conclusion
While dog bites can be distressing, taking the appropriate steps after an incident is crucial for your safety and recovery. By assessing the severity of the bite, ensuring your safety, cleaning the wound, identifying the dog and its owner, seeking medical attention, reporting the incident, considering psychological support, and learning from the experience, you can effectively manage the situation and reduce the risk of complications. Remember, responsible pet ownership and education about dog behaviour are key factors in preventing dog bites in the first place.