An encounter with an aggressive dog can quickly become a serious medical and safety concern. Millions of people in the United States are bitten by dogs each year, with a significant number requiring professional medical treatment. Understanding the correct sequence of actions—from the attack through to medical and administrative follow-up—is paramount for minimizing harm. This guidance provides actionable steps for managing this dangerous and stressful situation.
Actions to Take During the Attack
The immediate instinct to run from a charging dog should be resisted, as this movement can trigger the dog’s natural chase and prey drive. Instead, remain as still as possible, presenting a non-threatening posture. Avoid direct eye contact, which a dog may interpret as a challenge. Slowly turn your body to the side while keeping the dog in your peripheral view to help de-escalate the situation.
If the dog makes contact, prioritize protecting the most vulnerable areas: the face, throat, and chest. Immediately curl into a ball on the ground, covering your head and neck with your hands and arms in a “tuck and roll” position. This posture minimizes the exposed surface area and protects major arteries and airways from severe injury.
If a bite is inevitable, offer a less vital body part, such as a forearm or shin, as a distraction target. This redirects the dog’s bite away from areas where damage to major vessels or organs could be life-threatening. Using any available object, like a backpack, purse, or jacket, as a physical barrier can also serve as a distraction.
Initial Wound Management and First Aid
Once the attack is over and you are safely away from the animal, focus immediately on wound care to reduce the risk of bacterial infection. Dog bites frequently introduce bacteria deep into the tissue, making thorough cleansing essential. Start by washing the wound vigorously with mild soap and warm running water for five to ten minutes to flush out contaminants.
If the wound is bleeding, apply firm, direct pressure using a clean cloth or sterile gauze to control the blood flow. Even minor bleeding should be encouraged slightly, as this assists in naturally flushing out germs. Once bleeding is controlled, apply a thin layer of topical antibiotic ointment to the wound.
Cover the injury with a sterile bandage or clean dressing, protecting it from further contamination. Monitor the wound closely for the next several days, as all dog bites carry an inherent risk of infection, even minor ones that only break the skin. Change the dressing daily or whenever it becomes dirty or wet to maintain a clean healing environment.
Determining the Need for Professional Medical Treatment
Any dog bite that breaks the skin should be evaluated by a healthcare professional within 24 hours, as puncture wounds can cause significant underlying tissue damage.
When to Seek Immediate Care
Immediate medical attention is necessary for:
- Deep puncture wounds.
- Uncontrolled or heavy bleeding.
- Any injury located on the face, neck, hands, feet, or near a joint.
These areas are at higher risk for severe infection, nerve damage, or functional impairment.
The primary concerns for a medical provider are infection and rabies exposure. Dog bites are often contaminated with bacteria, such as Pasteurella multocida, which can lead to rapid and serious infection. Symptoms like increasing redness, swelling, warmth, intense pain, or pus draining from the wound require immediate medical reassessment and likely antibiotics.
A tetanus booster shot is recommended if you have not received one in the past five years. A rabies risk assessment is crucial, especially if the dog’s vaccination status is unknown or the animal was acting erratically. Post-exposure prophylaxis includes Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG) administered around the wound site, followed by a series of four vaccine injections over 14 days.
If the dog or cat can be observed for 10 days and remains healthy, rabies transmission is ruled out. However, if the animal is a stray, cannot be located, or is a high-risk wild animal (like a bat, raccoon, or skunk), treatment must start immediately. The combination of wound cleaning, immune globulin, and the vaccine series is nearly 100% effective in preventing this otherwise fatal viral disease.
Documentation and Reporting the Incident
After medical needs have been addressed, documenting the incident is important for public safety and any potential legal or insurance claims. Contact your local Animal Control agency to report the bite, which creates an official record and initiates an investigation into the dog’s history and vaccination status. Provide a detailed description of the dog, including its breed, size, color, and any identifying collars or tags.
Gather as much information as possible about the dog’s owner, including their name, address, and contact information, if the dog was not a stray. Take photographs of your injuries from multiple angles and distances, and continue to document the wounds as they heal. This visual evidence records the injury’s severity and progression.
If there were any witnesses, obtain their names and phone numbers for an independent account of the event. Keep a detailed written record of the date, time, and exact location of the attack while the memory is fresh. Reporting the incident is a public safety measure that ensures the animal is checked for rabies and helps prevent future incidents.