Animal Attack Checklist
A dog attack or cat attack is a traumatic event,
especially when it involves small, young children. Seeking out a medical
examination to make sure that you or your family member has not been infected
with any disease would be one of the first things you should do. Beyond a
medical examination for your safety, there are several things that you can also
do to preserve crucial evidence in the unfortunate event that litigation might
be needed. Here are some tips that you can use to ensure that you have
maximized your potential for recovery through evidence preservation.
Identification of Animal
- One of the most important things that you might want to do is to
obtain the name and address of the owner of the dog, if possible.
- If possible, obtain the dog license information.
- Ask if a report on the incident has been filed with an animal control
agency or other public agency.
Statements of Witness(es)
- Take the name, address and telephone number of any potential witness
and save this information someplace where it will not be lost.
- Return to the incident scene, visit any nearby homes or businesses, if
applicable, for any potential witness(es) to the incident.
- Revisit the scene of the incident several times at the same time at
which the attack took place. Some people may have a habit of stopping or
driving by the location of the incident as part of their normal daily
routine. You may be able to find a witness.
- If you have obtained witness information, do not contact or speak to
the witness(es) again. Let your attorney contact any possible witness(es).
Photographs
- Take pictures of the location where you were bitten by the animal.
- If possible, take photographs of the condition of your clothing in the
area where you were bitten.
- If you sustained a visible injury: i.e, bruise, cut, scrape or
stitches, take photograph(s) of the injury to preserve the state of the
injury at the time of the injury.
- Feel free to take as many photographs of what you think may, no matter
how trivial, be important to the accident. Your attorney will decide what
is and what is not important.