Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers | March 23, 2026 | Dog Bites
Dog attacks can happen without warning and leave you dealing with pain, confusion, and uncertainty about what to do next. In those moments, your priority should be your safety, but the steps you take afterward can also play a major role in protecting your legal rights.
Understanding how to respond can help you recover physically and put you in a stronger position if you decide to pursue a claim.
Get to Safety and Assess Your Injuries
The first thing to do after a dog attack is to get out of harm’s way. Move to a safe location where the dog cannot reach you, whether that means getting inside a building, into a vehicle, or behind a barrier. If others are nearby, call for help immediately.
Once you are safe, take a moment to assess your injuries. Dog bites can range from minor puncture wounds to more severe trauma involving deep tissue damage. Even if injuries don’t seem serious at first, it’s important to remain cautious. Some wounds may worsen over time or become infected.
If bleeding is significant, apply pressure with a clean cloth or bandage and seek emergency care immediately.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Getting medical attention as soon as possible is essential after a dog attack. Even small bites can introduce harmful bacteria into the body, increasing the risk of infection. In some cases, there may also be concerns about rabies or other diseases, particularly if the dog’s vaccination history is unknown.
A medical professional can properly clean the wound, assess the injury’s severity, and determine whether additional treatment, such as antibiotics, stitches, or a tetanus shot, is necessary.
Medical care also creates a record of your injuries, which can be important if you later pursue compensation. Delaying treatment may not only put your health at risk but can also make it harder to connect your injuries to the attack.
Identify the Dog and Report the Attack
If you are able to do so safely, try to identify the dog and its owner. Ask for the owner’s name and contact information, and request details about the dog’s vaccination history. This information can be critical for both your medical care and any potential legal claim.
If the owner is not present or refuses to cooperate, make note of what you can—such as the dog’s appearance, where the incident occurred, and any nearby addresses.
You should also report the attack to your local animal control agency or law enforcement. Reporting creates an official record of the incident and allows authorities to investigate. Sometimes, the dog may need to be quarantined or evaluated to ensure it does not pose a risk to others.
Document the Incident
Taking time to document what happened can make a meaningful difference later, especially if you decide to pursue a claim. The more information you gather, the easier it may be to show how the attack occurred and how it affected you.
If you are able, try to collect:
- Photos of your injuries immediately after the attack and during recovery
- Images of the location where the incident occurred
- Pictures of the dog, if it can be done safely
It’s also helpful to get the names and contact information of any witnesses and keep records of all medical treatment and expenses. Writing down what happened while it’s still fresh in your memory can further support your account of the incident.
Understand Your Legal Rights in Missouri
Missouri law generally holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets. This means that an owner may be liable even if the dog has never shown signs of aggression before.
However, liability can depend on the circumstances surrounding the attack. Factors that may affect a claim include:
- Whether you were lawfully on the property
- Whether the dog was provoked
- The events leading up to the incident
Missouri also follows a pure comparative fault system, meaning your compensation may be reduced if you are found partially responsible. Even so, you may still be able to recover damages depending on the situation.
Know Your Options for Recovering Compensation
If you have been injured in a dog attack, you may be able to recover compensation for the losses you have experienced. This can include:
- Medical expenses related to the injury
- Lost income if you are unable to work
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring or long-term physical effects
In some cases, compensation may be reduced if you are found to be partially at fault for the incident.
Contact Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers to Schedule a Free Consultation With a St. Louis Dog Bite Attorney
The steps you take after a dog bite can have a lasting impact on both your recovery and your legal rights in St. Louis, Missouri. Prioritizing your safety, seeking medical care, and documenting the incident can help protect your health while also strengthening any potential claim.
If you have questions about your situation or want to understand your options, contact Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis dog bite lawyer.
Contact the attorneys at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation, we proudly serve all throughout Missouri, including St. Louis County and Boone County and we have offices in St. Louis, Ladue, Columbia, Creve Coeur.
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Louis Office
319 N 4th Street, Suite 835, St. Louis, MO 63102
(314) 444-4444
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Columbia Office
28 N 8th St # 502, Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 702-3285
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Ladue Office
9807 S 40 Dr, St. Louis, MO 63124
(314) 912-3302
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Creve Coeur Office
999 Executive Pkwy Dr #205, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
(314) 350-4021
