A dog just attacked you. Maybe it happened at a neighbor’s house, a park, or right on your own sidewalk. Your heart is hammering, adrenaline is flooding your system, and you’re staring at torn skin wondering how bad it actually is.

Take a breath. Then take these steps—in this order. What you do in the next 24–48 hours will determine both your medical outcome and the strength of any legal claim you may need to pursue.

Step 1: Get Safe and Stop the Bleeding

First priority: separate yourself from the dog. Don’t try to restrain the animal—that’s animal control’s job. Get to a safe location and assess the wound.

For immediate first aid:

Apply firm pressure with a clean cloth to stop bleeding
If the wound is deep, gaping, or won’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes of pressure—go to the ER
If the bite is on the face, neck, or hands—go to the ER (these areas have critical structures close to the surface)
If a child was bitten—go to the ER

Even if the wound looks manageable, you need professional medical evaluation. Dog bites introduce bacteria deep into tissue—infections are common and can become life-threatening fast.

Step 2: Identify the Dog and Its Owner

This is critical for both your medical care and your legal rights. You need to know:

The owner’s name and contact information
The dog’s vaccination history—specifically rabies vaccination status
The dog’s breed and description
Where the dog lives

If the owner is present, ask directly. Most people are shaken enough by their dog attacking someone that they’ll cooperate. If they refuse to identify themselves or try to leave—get a photo of them, the dog, their car, their license plate. Anything.

If the dog was a stray or the owner is unknown, note every physical detail: breed, color, size, collar, location. This information helps animal control track the dog for a rabies quarantine—which directly affects your medical treatment decisions.

Step 3: Call Animal Control

Report the bite to your local animal control agency. In Denver, that’s Denver Animal Protection: (720) 913-1311. In other Colorado jurisdictions, call the non-emergency police line and they’ll direct you.

An animal control report creates an official government record of the attack. This is powerful evidence. It documents what happened while details are fresh, triggers a mandatory investigation, and initiates a 10-day rabies quarantine for the dog.

Without this report, the insurance company will later argue the bite was exaggerated, the dog was provoked, or that the incident never happened the way you described. The official report shuts that down.

Step 4: Document Everything

Your phone is your best friend right now. Before you clean up, before the wound is bandaged, before the swelling sets in:

Photograph the Injury

Close-ups of every wound from multiple angles
Wide shots showing the location on your body
Include something for scale (your hand, a coin)
Make sure the timestamp is on

Take photos every day as the wound progresses—healing, bruising, swelling, scarring. A visual timeline of your injury is some of the most compelling evidence in a dog bite case. Juries respond to photographs more than any medical record.

Photograph the Scene

Where the attack happened
The dog (if safe to do so)
Any “Beware of Dog” signs (or lack thereof)
Fencing, gates, leashes (or lack thereof)
Torn clothing, blood on the ground

Get Witness Information

If anyone saw the attack, get their name and phone number. Witness testimony corroborating your version of events is invaluable—especially if the owner later tries to claim you provoked the dog.

Step 5: Get Medical Treatment (And Don’t Downplay It)

Go to the ER or urgent care that day. Not tomorrow. Not “if it gets worse.” Today.

Here’s why this matters beyond the obvious health reasons:

Infection risk is real. Dog mouths carry pasteurella, staphylococcus, streptococcus, and capnocytophaga bacteria. An untreated dog bite can develop into cellulitis, abscess, sepsis, or MRSA within 24–48 hours.
Delayed treatment kills claims. Insurance companies will argue that if you didn’t seek immediate medical care, the injury wasn’t that serious. A same-day medical record establishes the baseline severity.
Rabies evaluation. If the dog’s vaccination status is unknown, you may need post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). This is time-sensitive—rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear.

When you see the doctor, describe every symptom. Don’t minimize. If you’re shaking, anxious, having trouble sleeping—tell them. Psychological trauma from a dog attack is a legitimate, compensable injury, and it needs to be in the medical record from day one.

Step 6: Don’t Talk to the Owner’s Insurance Company

At some point—usually within a few days—the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance company will call you. They’ll sound friendly, sympathetic, helpful. They’ll ask for a “recorded statement.”

Do not give one.

Everything you say will be analyzed for anything that can be used to reduce or deny your claim. “The dog seemed friendly at first” becomes “she approached a dog she knew was unpredictable.” “I’m feeling a little better today” becomes “she admitted her injuries resolved quickly.”

Politely decline. Tell them you’re focused on your medical treatment and will be in touch through your attorney. Speaking of which—

Step 7: Talk to a Dog Bite Attorney

Dog bite cases in Colorado involve specific statutes, insurance coverage questions, and potential multiple defendants (owner, landlord, property manager, dog walker). An experienced dog bite lawyer will:

Determine whether strict liability or negligence applies to your case
Identify all liable parties and their insurance coverage
Handle all communication with the insurance company
Ensure your claim accounts for future medical needs and scarring
Deal with animal control and any dangerous dog proceedings

At Conduit Law, dog bite consultations are free, and we work on contingency—you don’t pay unless we recover money for you.

What NOT to Do After a Dog Bite

A few mistakes can seriously damage your case:

Don’t apologize or say it was your fault. Adrenaline makes people say weird things. “I shouldn’t have tried to pet him” sounds like an admission of provocation.
Don’t accept a cash offer from the owner. Homeowners sometimes panic and offer to pay your medical bills directly to avoid an insurance claim. This almost always ends badly—they underestimate the costs, stop paying, and you’ve lost leverage.
Don’t post about it on social media. The insurance company will find your posts. A photo of you smiling at dinner the night after the attack becomes evidence that you “weren’t that hurt.”
Don’t wait to get medical treatment. Every day you delay weakens both your health and your claim.
Don’t sign anything from the insurance company without attorney review. Especially a medical release—they’ll use it to fish through your entire medical history for pre-existing conditions to blame.

Special Considerations for Children

Children account for the majority of serious dog bite injuries, and they’re most often bitten in the face and head. If your child was bitten:

ER visit is non-negotiable—always
Document the emotional impact—nightmares, fear of dogs, behavioral changes
Consider therapy early—childhood dog attack trauma can be long-lasting
Keep every medical record and school absence report
Take photos of scarring over time—children’s scars change as they grow

Cases involving children typically result in higher settlements because of the severity of facial injuries, the long-term psychological impact, and the fact that juries are deeply sympathetic to injured kids.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I go to the ER for a dog bite even if it doesn’t look bad?

Yes. Dog bites introduce bacteria deep into tissue through puncture wounds. Infections can develop rapidly and become serious within 24–48 hours. Additionally, same-day medical documentation is critical evidence for any legal claim.

What if the dog owner is my neighbor or friend?

Their homeowner’s insurance is designed to handle exactly this situation. Filing a claim doesn’t mean you’re suing your neighbor personally—it means their insurance company pays for the damage their dog caused. That’s literally what they pay premiums for.

How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Colorado?

For strict liability claims: 2 years. For negligence claims: 3 years. But the sooner you act, the better your evidence and the stronger your case. For a full breakdown, read our guide on Colorado’s dog bite strict liability law.

What if I was bitten by a stray or unknown dog?

Report to animal control immediately—they can help track the dog for rabies testing. If the owner can’t be identified, your own health insurance and potentially uninsured motorist coverage (if bitten while in/near a vehicle) may cover medical costs. An attorney can help identify all available coverage.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult with an attorney for advice regarding your specific situation.

A dog bite is scary, painful, and overwhelming. But the steps you take right now matter. Document everything, get medical care, and call Conduit Law before talking to anyone’s insurance company. The consultation is free.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in CO | Conduit Law