A man has been charged after his dog bit a pedestrian in Norfolk, Virginia, according to authorities. The charges were filed after animal control officials and the fire department responded to the call around noon on Thursday to find a man who claimed a dog had bitten him in the shoulder; the dog’s owner claimed the animal had been accidentally let out of his house. The injured victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries, and the owner was charged with failure to obtain a dog license and either a missing or an expired rabies license.
Thankfully, it sounds as though the victim’s injuries were not life-threatening, though the threat of rabies is real and highly dangerous with any dog bite, and as a dog bite and dog attack lawyer I can attest to the seriousness of bites which seem very minor. Pet owners have a strong responsibility to ensure their animals are kept locked up and that they are properly registered and vaccinated; this goes double if the animal has a history of aggression or of attacking humans or other animals.
Tips for Norfolk Dog Bite Victims
- Seek medical attention immediately. You do not know whether or not the animal has been vaccinated against rabies. Even if they have, you are still at risk for infection.
- Report the incident by calling the Norfolk Animal Protection Unit at 757-664-7387.
- Gather as much information as possible from witnesses about the dog and the incident.
- Contact a Virginia dog bite lawyer.
An animal that has bitten someone must be quarantined for a ten-day period at least. The victim should attempt to identify the animal so that authorities can act accordingly.
Norfolk Dog Bite Lawyer
My Norfolk personal injury law firm specializes in dog bite and dog attack cases. My lawyers and I know the rules, the regulations, and the laws surrounding dogs and dog attacks, and we know how to fight for you in order to win you the legal redress to which you are entitled. Contact us today 877-544-5323.
