Wednesday, August 29, 2012

What must be done after being bitten by a dog

By Jerry Welsh


Dogs are viewed as man's best friends not only because of their loyal and affectionate nature but also because of the fact that dogs are seen wherever man goes. Sadly, about 5 million people in America alone get bitten by dogs. Some dog bite victims have injuries that can be treated at home while others people's bite wounds would need medical attention.

Dog domestication was achieved by man for thousands of years. These animals form a strong bond with their human families. Dogs will always be protective of their young and anything they consider as theirs because of their territorial nature. Being hunters by nature, dogs would show its aggressive temperament when provoked. Aggressive dogs have the tendency to bite. An aggressive behavior is not always the reason why dog bites as dogs can injure people during playtime. In spite of the close ties, humans are bitten by their own dogs.

Before any treatment is done be sure to remove the victim away from the dog to prevent further injuries. Medical attention is necessary even if the sustained wound is not serious so that infection will be avoided. Medical assistance is especially necessary if the victim was bitten by a stray dog as the vaccination status of the dog is unknown. In most cases people bitten by stray dogs have to undergo rabies treatment.

First aid treatment must be given to a dog bite victim as it would take some time before professional help can be given. Profuse bleeding can be stopped by applying direct pressure on the wound. After the bleeding is stopped, the wound must be thoroughly washed with soap and water. Allow the water to run through the wound for several minutes to remove bacteria and prevent infection. Before applying antibiotic make sure that the bite wound area is dry.

It is necessary to report a biting incident to the authorities. Reporting the incident is particularly necessary if the dog is a stray as it has to be captured to prevent it from biting other people and more importantly, the stray has to be observed for signs of rabies. If the dog was identified, reporting the biting incident to the proper authorities will be necessary as dog bites have legal implications. The dog bite victim has to be indemnified not only for all the medical bills but also for the pain suffered and for the loss of earnings.




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