Being bitten by a dog can be a traumatic experience, and it’s natural to feel anxious and worried about what will happen next. Even after being bit, dog lovers may be reluctant to report the bite because of the common misconception that an animal who has bitten someone must automatically be euthanized.
That is not necessarily true, but you should follow some protocols to protect your health.
What Happens When a Dog Bites Someone?
When a dog bites someone, they need to report the incident to local animal control authorities. The dog may be taken into custody and quarantined for ten days or another period of time, as determined by the health board, to ensure that it does not have rabies or any other diseases.
In Ohio, no law states that a dog must be euthanized after biting someone for the first time. However, it will be put on a register of vicious dogs. If it bites someone again, the county or state may choose to euthanize it.
There are some circumstances where a dog may not be held responsible for biting someone, such as:
- If a person provokes a dog, such as by hitting or teasing it, and the dog bites in response
- If someone is trespassing on private property and is bitten by a dog on the property
- Dogs that are used for work, such as police or military dogs, may not be held responsible for bites if the bite occurred during the course of their duties
- If a dog bites someone in self-defense, such as if the person is attacking the dog
Except for these situations, a dog owner is responsible for controlling their dog and ensuring it’s trained and socialized. Therefore, the owner is liable for any harm their dog causes, regardless of whether or not they were aware of the animal’s dangerous tendencies.
If a dog bite in Ohio has injured you, and it’s their first offense, you can put aside your worry that they may be put down and seek fair compensation for your injuries.
