Dog bites can be frightening and painful experiences. Whether the injury is minor or severe, knowing what to do after a dog bite in Buffalo, New York is important to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights. Dog bite incidents can happen unexpectedly, and it’s crucial to handle the situation with care. In this guide, we will go over the essential steps to take when reporting a dog bite and what to expect in the aftermath. We will also cover how the law addresses these incidents in Buffalo and the responsibility of dog owners in New York. At Friedman & Ranzenhofer, PC, we are here to guide you through the legal process and help you navigate the complexities of your case.
Immediate Steps After a Dog Bite
The first thing you should do after a dog bite is take care of your health. If you have been bitten by a dog, it is vital to seek medical attention, even if the wound appears small. Dog bites can cause infections, and it’s better to be cautious. If the wound is bleeding heavily or the bite is severe, go to the emergency room right away. It is also important to wash the wound with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection.
Once you have received medical care, you should gather information about the dog and the dog’s owner. This includes getting the owner’s contact information, asking if the dog is up to date on its vaccinations, and writing down any details about the dog’s appearance and behavior. This information will be useful when you report the bite and may be necessary for medical treatment, especially if the dog’s vaccination status is unknown. If there are witnesses, it can be helpful to get their names and contact information as well. Witnesses can help provide additional details about the incident if needed.
Why Reporting a Dog Bite Is Important
Reporting a dog bite is an important step to protect yourself and others. When you report a dog bite, it ensures that the authorities can investigate and take action if necessary. In Buffalo, dog bites should be reported to the Erie County Department of Health or the local animal control. This helps create a record of the incident, which can be crucial if the dog has a history of aggressive behavior or if future incidents occur.
Reporting the bite also holds the dog owner accountable. New York law holds dog owners responsible if their dog causes injury to another person. If the dog has a known history of being dangerous or has bitten someone before, the owner may face legal consequences. By reporting the bite, you can help prevent future attacks and ensure that the dog owner takes the proper precautions.
Understanding New York’s Dog Bite Laws
New York follows what is now known as a “dual-track” system for dog bite liability following the landmark April 17, 2025 decision in Flanders v. Goodfellow. This system incorporates both strict liability and negligence claims.
Strict Liability: A dog owner is automatically responsible if their dog has been labeled as dangerous or has known “vicious propensities”—such as previous attacks, aggression, or threatening behavior—and the owner knew or should have known about it. In such cases, victims may recover compensation without needing to prove negligence.
Negligence: Under the new legal standard established in Flanders v. Goodfellow, dog bite victims in New York can also pursue a negligence claim. This allows injured parties to hold owners liable if they failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent an attack—even if the dog had no history of aggression. Negligence might include failing to use a leash, not securing a gate, or not warning visitors about a dog’s presence.
This ruling aligns New York with most other states and significantly expands victims’ rights to seek justice and compensation. It also means that responsible pet ownership is more important than ever.
In Buffalo, once a dog has been labeled as dangerous, the owner may be required to take specific actions, like keeping the dog on a leash or muzzled in public, to prevent future incidents. If these requirements are not followed and another person is bitten, the owner could face more severe penalties. Additionally, victims of dog bites may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. These cases can be complex, so it is important to understand your rights under the current New York law.
Who Should You Report a Dog Bite To?
In Buffalo, dog bites should be reported to the Erie County Department of Health or the local animal control agency. These departments are responsible for investigating dog bite incidents and ensuring the safety of the community. When you report a dog bite, the authorities will gather information about the dog, the owner, and the circumstances of the bite. They may also determine if the dog poses a threat to public safety and whether the owner needs to take additional precautions to prevent future incidents.
Reporting a dog bite also helps track any potential rabies exposure. If the dog has not been vaccinated, or if the dog’s vaccination history is unknown, it may be necessary to take steps to ensure the safety of the victim. Animal control officers may quarantine the dog or require it to undergo rabies testing to rule out any risk of transmission.
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What Happens After You Report a Dog Bite
After you report a dog bite, the authorities will investigate the incident. They may contact the dog owner to verify the dog’s vaccination records and learn more about the circumstances of the bite. In some cases, the dog may be required to be quarantined for a period of time to ensure that it is not a danger to others. If the dog has a history of aggressive behavior, additional measures may be taken to protect the public, such as requiring the owner to keep the dog muzzled in public or even removing the dog from the owner’s care.
If the dog bite resulted in serious injury, the victim may choose to pursue legal action against the owner. In such cases, the victim may seek compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. It is important to have proper documentation of the incident, including medical records, witness statements, and the report made to the authorities. This information can be vital in proving your case if you decide to file a claim under either strict liability or negligence.
Seeking Legal Help After a Dog Bite
Dealing with the aftermath of a dog bite can be overwhelming, especially if the injuries are severe. While reporting the bite and seeking medical attention are critical first steps, understanding your legal rights is just as important. New York’s dog bite laws changed significantly in 2025, and now victims have more avenues for legal recourse than ever before. Holding the dog owner accountable may involve filing a strict liability claim, a negligence claim, or both, depending on the facts of the case.
Having a legal advocate on your side can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. An attorney can help gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Victims of dog bites are often entitled to compensation for their injuries, but these cases require a thorough understanding of New York’s updated dog bite laws and how they apply to each specific situation.
Protecting Your Rights After a Dog Bite
While dog bite incidents can happen in the blink of an eye, they can have lasting consequences. In addition to the physical pain and emotional distress, victims of dog bites often face medical bills, time away from work, and ongoing treatment for their injuries. Knowing your rights under New York law can help you take the necessary steps to protect yourself and ensure that the responsible party is held accountable. Reporting the bite, seeking medical care, and understanding the legal process are all important steps in recovering from a dog bite.
Dog owners have a responsibility to control their pets and prevent harm to others. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any injuries that result from a dog bite—under both strict liability and negligence principles. If you have been bitten by a dog in Buffalo, you do not have to navigate the legal process alone. Having an experienced attorney by your side can make all the difference in ensuring that your case is handled properly and that you receive the compensation you need to recover.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Buffalo, New York, it is important to act quickly to protect your rights. Reporting the bite and seeking medical attention are crucial steps, but understanding your legal options is just as important. At Friedman & Ranzenhofer, PC, we are dedicated to helping dog bite victims in Buffalo get the justice and compensation they deserve. Our experienced attorneys can guide you through the legal process and fight for your rights every step of the way. Contact us today for a consultation and let us help you recover from your injuries and hold the responsible party accountable.
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