A dog attack can be truly traumatic, causing not only physical but also emotional harm. Every year, thousands of people are attacked by dogs in New York. Many of these attacks result in serious injuries, including hospitalizations and, on occasion, even death.

If you are injured by a dog, if the owner is present, get his or her name and address. Call the police and be sure to obtain a copy of the police report. If you are seriously injured, have the police call an ambulance for you or go to the nearest hospital to be treated. Even if the wound doesn’t look serious, it can become infected. Although rabies is rare, it must still be considered. If you haven’t recently had a tetanus shot, you will need to get one.

Once you have your police report and have received medical attention, consult with an attorney experienced with dog bite cases. If you or a loved one has been attacked and injured by a dog, you may be entitled to counseling, compensation for your physical and emotional harm, including scarring, and reimbursement of your medical expenses and lost income.