Do You Have to Report a Dog Bite in San Antonio Texas?

As a densely populated city, it is no wonder that San Antonio is home to so many dogs. In San Antonio alone the number of owned dogs is over 280,000, while the city also hosts over 34,000 roaming and stray dogs. With such a high concentration of animals, accidents are to be expected. Dog bites can result in serious physical wounds, as well as the contraction of incredibly dangerous diseases. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite attack in San Antonio then the top Texas law firm, Carabin Shaw, will support you throughout the course of your case.

Dog bites in San Antonio are more common than in most other cities in the U.S., with San Antonio ranked thirteenth in the country in terms of dog bites. Because of this, it is vital that victims work with an experienced attorney to understand the precautions and legal requirements surrounding the aftermath of a dog bite.

In the state of Texas, San Antonio included, it is required by law that all dog bites be reported to the local rabies control authority if the bite or scratch breaks the skin. In San Antonio, Animal Care Services operates as the local rabies control authority. While legally required, reporting a bite also goes to help your case if you choose to file a personal injury claim.

The primary concern after a dog bite is not the surface wounds, lacerations, or punctures. Instead, the risk of rabies is what necessitates reporting dog bites. Rabies is a viral disease that is, more often than not, untreatable after symptoms begin to appear. With a mortality rate of 99.9%, it is the deadliest disease a human can contract.

After a dog bites a human, Texas requires that the animal be quarantined for ten days and observed closely during that period. Given the correct circumstances, the animal may be quarantined at the home of the owner. As a rule, it must be quarantined at a shelter or veterinary clinic. In San Antonio, any signs of illness must be immediately reported to Animal Care Services to allow the San Antonio dog bite victim as much time for possible treatment as possible.

Additionally, Texas employs a “one bite rule” for most dog bites. This means that, if the animal does not have a recorded biting incident prior to the victim’s, the owner of the dog may not be held liable for the attack. In such cases, establishing or recording a pattern of behavior is vital in pursuing compensation for your injuries. In the incident of a first bite, the victim must provide evidence that the dog’s owner had previous knowledge of the animal’s aggression and/or the owner was negligent in controlling the dog or preventing the bite.

Navigating a first bite is often an emotionally tense case, especially as dog owners do what they can to protect their animals, often regardless of poor training or their propensity towards biting. That’s why working alongside an expert dog bite attorney in San Antonio will provide you with the resources and guidance you need to fight for the financial compensation that you are owed.

In order to best serve you, Carabin Shaw offers free case review and initial consultation, allowing you the opportunity to gather more information about how to pursue your dog bite claim and what the next steps are in doing so. Carabin Shaw’s client reviews stand as a record of our decades of service to San Antonio. Our experts can be reached 24/7 at 800-862-1260, with both English and Spanish-speaking staff on standby.