As the victim of a dog bite in San Bernardino County, you should know that you are required to file a dog bite report, San Bernardino County RUFF Bite Report, with San Bernardino County Animal Control or the appropriate city or municipality agency. If this is in any way adding to the stress you feel after suffering a dog bite, please know that the caring and well-informed team at Normandie Law Firm is here to help. Our staff can be reached 24/7 to answer your questions about filing your report, your rights as a dog bite victim, and how to secure compensation for the losses and expenses caused by the dog bite incident.
Below is a list of contacts for the various agencies in San Bernardino County:
- Adelanto Animal Control can be reached at (760) 246-2300 ext. 13077 and serves the City of Adelanto
- Apple Valley Animal Control serves the community of Apple Valley and can be contacted at (760) 240-7000 ext. 7555
- San Bernardino County Animal Control provides service to Barstow, Big Bear Lake, Highland, Yucaipa, Upland, and all unincorporated county property except West End communities and can be contacted at (800) 472-5609
- Inland Valley Humane Society can be reached at (909) 623-9777 for dog bites that occurred in Chino, Chino Valley, Montclair, Mt. Brady, Ontario, San Antonio Heights, and all unincorporated parts of West End
- Colton Animal Control serves the community of Colton and is reachable at (909) 370-5000
- Fontana Animal Control dog bite calls are routed to Fontana Police Dispatch at (909) 350-7700
- Hesperia Animal Control can be contacted at (760) 947-1700 to report a dog bite in that city
- Loma Linda Animal Control can be reached at (909) 799-2861 to report a dog bite
- Needles Animal Control is responsible for dog bite reporting in the city and can be contacted at (909) 799-2861
- Rancho Cucamonga Animal Control is reachable at (909) 466-7387 ext. 1 to report a dog bite in the city
- Redlands Animal Control can be contacted at (909) 798-7644 to report a dog bite
- Rialto Animal Control serves the community and is reachable at (909) 820-2550
- The City of San Bernardino Animal Control provides service to the city and can be contacted at (909) 384-1304 to file a dog bite report for an incident that occurred within the city limits
- Twentynine Palms Animal Control can be contacted at (760) 367-0157 or (760) 367-6799 ext. 1018 to report a dog bite in the city
- Victorville Animal Control will assist with a dog bite report in the city and can be contacted at (760) 955-5089
- Yucca Valley Animal Control takes dog bite reports for the city and can be reached at (760) 365-1807
But please feel free to contact Normandie Law Firm at any time if you would like to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with a skilled and successful San Bernardino County dog bite lawyer to discuss your case in more detail.
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Vital Information About All Dog Bite Wounds
Sadly, many victims overlook the severe ramifications of even the more innocent-looking dog bites. It could be a small puncture wound that barely bleeds or a bite that did not even break the skin due to the clothing you were wearing, but they are all serious incidents that could result in costly and painful harm. Dogs can exert significant force with their jaws, which results in nerve damage or even broken bones in the hands or wrists. But you might not be aware of the injury due to the adrenalin and shock created by the sudden attack.
In other instances, the tissue damage appears minor. So, the victim never cleans the wound or has it evaluated by a medical professional. In these cases, the result is often a severe infection due to the many bacteria in dog saliva. Even healthy dogs have many bacteria in their saliva that are not harmful to them but can result in a human suffering a staph, strep, or cellulitis infection. It takes only a minimal amount of saliva in a tiny break in the skin to cause contamination and a potentially life-threatening illness. Victims of a dog bite should always take proper precautions by cleaning the wound and having it evaluated by a medical expert to ensure they are not at risk for an infection or other harm that could be masked until days after the incident.
Essential Dog Bite First Aid
A severe dog bite typically warrants a call to 911 or a trip to the emergency room. However, when the bite appears less harmful, many people overlook the vital process of properly cleaning the wound and surrounding area to lessen the chance of an infection. If you are not getting emergency medical care for a dog bite that looks relatively harmless, please take the time to follow these steps to clean and dress the wound appropriately:
- Use warm water to flush the wound and surrounding tissue for five to ten minutes
- Gently wash the wound with mild soap and thoroughly rinse the area
- Use a clean bandage and mild pressure to stop any minor bleeding
- Coat the wound with antibiotic cream or ointment
- Cover the wound with a clean, dry bandage
It is important to seek a medical evaluation for any wound, even after you have cleaned and covered it. You should also examine the area daily for signs of infection that could include increased pain, swelling, or redness in the area or any discharge from the wound, If you see any of these indications of infection get immediate medical care.
Crucial Information To Gather After A Dog Bite
Knowing that you need to file a report about any dog bite, you will want to collect some details in writing to ensure the information you provide is accurate. It can be easy to forget or confuse details during the stress of a dog bite incident. List all the identifying information about the dog, such as breed, size, and identifying markings. If the owner is present, get their contact information and address. Also, contact information must be gathered from all who witnessed the dog bite incident.
If the owner is not present, ask if anyone can provide information about the owner or where the dog lives. It is helpful in these cases to get pictures of the dog, if possible, to later identify it or where it might reside. You should also get photos of any wounds or harm you suffered during the incident. Ask witnesses to assist you in taking pictures, creating a list of information, and determining where the dog might live if you are unable to do this on your own.
Finally, keep copies of all medical records, invoices, and receipts related to treatment of your injuries and any time you miss from your job due to the injuries. This information could be vital if you need to pursue legal action to secure the compensation owed to you by the owner of the dog.
Who Is Responsible For Dog Bite Injury Expenses?
Many dog bite victims worry that the cost of the care they require could create a hardship financially because they do not know that California is a strict liability state regarding dog bites. That means the owner is typically liable for any harm or damage caused by their dog. The only exceptions are when the person is bitten while abusing or harming the dog or if they are illegally on the property when bit. Don’t hesitate to contact Normandie Law Firm today to learn more about who should pay for your dog bite bills and how our exceptional dog bite lawyers can help you get that compensation.
How Much Is A Dog Bite Lawsuit Worth?
There are no predetermined amounts that apply to dog bite lawsuit compensation. Instead, each case is evaluated independently and values based on the losses and expenses sustained by the victim. Your legal team will help you compile all allowable expenses, which often include the following:
- All current and estimated future medical costs
- Your legal fees
- Any lost wages or income
- The replacement cost of personal property damaged or destroyed in the incident
- Possible pain and suffering compensation in cases with severe injuries
How Long Do I Have To Pursue Legal Action?
The victim of a dog bite in San Bernardino County has two years from the date of the incident to file a claim with the court. If the case is not submitted by the end of the two-year time limit, the victim loses the right to seek justice and compensation from the dog owner for the harm caused by that incident. However, the team at Normandie Law Firm recommends that you contact the office as soon as possible after your injuries. The faster we begin to build a case, the more swiftly you will have the compensation you need. It is also noteworthy that the court’s workload and the defendant’s actions will impact how long it takes to resolve your case.
No Added Financial Stress
When you hire Normandie Law Firm, we never ask for any upfront payments. Instead, we only get paid after you get paid. This simple step allows you to use the compensation you receive to cover all legal costs and expenses. In addition, if we fail to win your dog bite lawsuit, you owe us nothing. Please contact Normandie Law Firm today to discuss your San Bernardino County dog bite incident with a skilled dog bite lawyer to better understand your rights and obligations.
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