A bite from a neighbor’s dog can leave you trying to deal with an injury while worrying about the relationship next door. A bite from an unfamiliar dog creates a different problem: you may not know who owns it or whether it has been vaccinated. In either situation, start with medical care. You can sort out responsibility after you are safe.
1. Get away from the animal
Move to safety without trying to catch or restrain the dog. Call 911 for severe bleeding or another immediate emergency. Getting a photograph or an owner’s name can wait if doing so would expose you to another attack.
2. Wash the wound and seek appropriate care
Mayo Clinic’s first-aid guidance recommends washing an animal bite with soap and water and covering it with a clean bandage. Deep wounds, significant bleeding, signs of infection and uncertainty about the seriousness of a bite call for medical attention. A small opening in the skin does not tell you everything about the injury beneath it.
Do not postpone cleaning or treatment to preserve evidence. If you can safely take a photograph without delaying care, do so. Otherwise, medical records and later photographs can help document the injury.
3. Ask about rabies and tetanus
Tell the clinician what animal bit you, where it happened and what you know about the animal’s vaccination history. CDC guidance calls for a prompt assessment after a possible rabies exposure; clinicians and public health officials can determine whether preventive treatment is needed. Do not wait for symptoms or rely on an owner’s reassurance alone.
Bites also warrant a review of your tetanus vaccination history. CDC’s wound-care guidance treats wounds containing saliva as potentially higher-risk wounds. Follow your clinician’s advice about vaccines, wound care and any prescribed medication.
4. Identify the dog and report what happened
If it is safe, obtain the owner’s name, contact information and the address where the dog is kept. Ask for veterinary and vaccination information. Report the incident to the appropriate local animal-control authority and keep the report number. If the owner is unknown, give a description and location rather than attempting to follow the dog yourself.
5. Record the circumstances while you remember them
Write down where you were, what you were doing and how the dog reached you. Note an open gate, broken fence, loose leash or other relevant condition. Get contact information for anyone who saw the incident. Nearby doorbell or security video may help, so identify possible cameras and ask that footage be preserved.
Describe what you actually remember. If you did not see how a gate opened or who released the dog, leave that question open.
6. Keep track of healing and practical difficulties
Follow the treatment plan and seek further care for worsening symptoms or signs of infection. Save discharge instructions, bills and referrals. Photographs taken during healing can show changes that a single image misses. Record specific effects, such as difficulty gripping a tool or time missed from work, rather than trying to predict a final recovery.
Photograph damaged clothing if useful, but do not keep blood- or saliva-contaminated items where they create a health risk. Ask about safe handling before retaining them.
7. Understand what Louisiana law requires
Under Louisiana Civil Code article 2321, a dog owner is strictly liable for damage caused by the dog when the owner could have prevented it and the injury did not result from the injured person’s provocation. The claimant does not have to prove a previous bite or the owner’s knowledge of dangerous behavior. Facts about restraint, access to the property and the interaction with the animal can still matter.
The incident date also matters. Louisiana’s general two-year tort period under article 3493.1 applies to claims arising on or after July 1, 2024, subject to applicable exceptions. Older claims require analysis under the rules that govern them. The comparative-fault change effective January 1, 2026 under article 2323 reduces recovery for a claimant’s share of fault below 51 percent and bars recovery at 51 percent or more when that rule applies. These are reasons to have the facts and dates checked, not to calculate a deadline from a brief article.
8. Read insurance requests before responding
An owner’s homeowners or renters policy may provide coverage, but the policy and circumstances must be examined. Keep claim correspondence and answer factual questions truthfully. If asked to give a recorded statement, sign a broad medical authorization or accept a settlement, understand what is being requested before agreeing. A release can end the claim while treatment needs are still uncertain.
For help assessing responsibility and coverage, see our dog bite practice or call (225) 500-5000. Bring the incident details and records you have; a complete file is not a prerequisite for a conversation.