Dallas Dog Bite Lawyer | Dallas Dog Mauling Lawsuit | Dallas Dog Attack Attorney

Dallas County Dog Bite Accident Attorney

Dangerous Dog Facts:

  1. An estimated 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year;
  2. Approximately 334,000 people are admitted to US emergency rooms annually with dog bite-associated injuries, and another 466,000 are seen in other medical settings;
  3. An unknown number of other people who have been bitten do not sustain injuries deemed serious enough to require medical attention;
  4. Almost half of all persons bitten are children younger than 12 years old; and
  5. People more than 70 years old comprise 10% of those bitten and 20% of those killed.

According to Zoonosis Control Division of the Texas Department of Health, domesticated dogs comprise most the dog bites in any given year. Even more shocking, Texas was the leader in dog bite fatalities in 2007, with seven fatalities stemming from dog bites that year alone. There is a regional Zoonosis office in Arlington located at Texas Department of State Health Services, Zoonosis Control, 1301 S. Bowen Road, Suite 200, Arlington, TX 76013, (817) 264-4500 for all of your needs and questions.

Responsible Dog Ownership in Dallas Definitely Can Reduce Dallas Dog Bites

As so many things in life, dog bites can be reduced by what happens in the home. A dog is not always the one to blame in the instance of a dog attack or dog bite injury.  Many owners use their dogs for illegal dog fights and these dogs are victimized every bit as much as the victims of their attacks, and they too are often severely injured or even killed in dog fighting rings as they fight for their lives.  Negligent and abusive dog owners should be held liable for their actions.  A decision to be a responsible dog is a personal decision and one that requires responsibility. There are many places in and around Dallas, Texas to have your dog trained for obedience. Dog owners are also able to take their dog to an area designated for dogs to play.  Dog parks are there so that the owner can take their dog to an area where they can run around and play in an fenced-in and safe place.  Dog parks are a responsible place to take your pet to ensure that when they are running off their leash that they will not run away from you and/or cause harm to a person or another animal.  Some Dog Training Facilities and Dog Park locations in the General Dallas Area include:

Dog Training in and around Dallas, Texas:
 
Park Cities Obedience School
5543 Dyer Street
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 369-7267
Dallas Dog Trainer
11240 Luna Road
Dallas, TX 75229
(972) 241-9144
Bark Busters Dallas
3109 Knox Street 623
Dallas, TX 75205
(877) 500-2275
Urban Paws
2526 Elm Street
Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 748-8008

Dog Parks in Dallas, Texas:

Redding Trail Dog Park
14677 Proton Drive
Addison, TX 75244
(972) 450-2851
White Rock Lake Dog Park
White Rock Creek & Lake Trails (Dallas)
Dallas, TX 75214

Dogs should be trained and any sense of aggressive behavior exhibited by a dog should be immediately attended to by the pet owner in order to avoid a future incident.  What it boils down to is that if you or a loved one have been bitten, attacked, maimed, or killed by a dog or other animal, you should be entitled to some degree of compensation from the animal’s owner or handler. Contact one of the experienced Dallas dog bite lawyers above for a consultation regarding your claim.

Texas’s “One Bite” Rule & Dog Bite Claims Based on Negligence

Texas follows the arcane “one bite rule.” This means that a pet owner is liable when:

  • the owner knew that the dog had bitten someone before or had a “dangerous propensity” for biting;
  • the bite was caused by the negligence of the person handling the dog;
  • the bite was caused by a violation of a leash law, prohibition against dogs trespassing or running at large, or a similar animal control law; or,
  • the bite injury was caused intentionally by the owner or person handling the dog.

An animal attack, mauling, or serious dog bite can be devastating, especially when a child is injured. Contact a Dallas dog bite lawyer today to discuss your case.When it cannot be proved that the dog’s owner or handler knew of the dog’s propensity to bite, negligence can form the basis of a claim. An example of a negligence-based claim could occur when the owner of a dog whose breed is notorious for its violent propensities — such as a pit bull, Rottweiler, or German Shepherd — allows their dog to run loose in a children’s park or other public area without supervision. The dog’s owner will be held liable based on negligence if the dog bites a child in the park.

However, a person does not have to be the dog’s owner to be held liable for a bite victim’s injuries. A child bitten at a day care facility for dogs could, through the child’s parents, make a claim against the pet care center, even though the dog was owned by a third party who was absent at the time of the bite. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite, you should contact a Dallas dog bite attorney to pursue your personal injury claims. Even if the dog has no prior history of aggression and has never bitten anyone before, Texas’s “one bite rule” may allow a Dallas dog bite injury lawyer to fight your claim successfully, and you deserve compensation for your injuries.

Dallas Negligence Per Se Dog Bite Lawyer

When a statute or ordinance is violated and the violation leads to an injury, this is called negligence per se.

Negligence per se is frequently found in cases of dog bites, dog maulings, and dog attacks, often resulting from a violation of:

  1. leash laws;
  2. dog trespass laws; or,
  3. no “free-run” laws.

Usually, these types of dog control laws and ordinances are only found in large Texas cities; however, Dallas has an ordinance requiring that dogs be "restrained" at all times. Furthermore, Dallas requires that all dogs over four months of age be licensed with the city officials. If you or a loved one has been bitten or mauled by a dog running loose in violation of the law of Dallas or Dallas County, you should contact a local Dallas dog bite attorney immediately.

Lillian’s Law (H.B. 1355)

The so-called “Lillian Stiles Law,” sponsored by Senator Eliot Shapleigh and passed in 2007, increases the jail time for owners who fail to secure their dogs in a reasonable manner, resulting in serious bodily injury or death to another. Under the law, a dog owner will be charged with a third-degree felony if their dog causes serious bodily injury to a victim during an unprovoked attack. A third-degree felony is punishable by 2-10 years of prison time as well as a potential fine of up to $10,000. If the victim dies from an unprovoked dog attack, H.B. 1355 would impose a charge of second-degree felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Click here for more information on the passage of Lillian’s Law,

Texas still allows a dog to be chained up, which is not only bad policy, but also dangerous to children and others who are routinely attacked by dogs that have been chained. Lillian’s law helps protect Dallas residents from dogs that attack when not reasonably secured and allows Dallas dog bite lawyers to sue the dog owners despite lack of previous history of aggression or any provocation from the injury victim. Call a Dallas dog bite lawyer today.

Some of Texas' Laws on Dog Bites

Some of the laws are found in the Texas Health & Safety Code, Title 10, Chapter 822 Regulation of Animals:

Dallas County Dangerous Dog Laws

Sec. 6-1. - Definitions.

Sec. 6-2. - Penalties for violation of chapter.

Sec. 6-3. - Fees; licenses; permits.

Secs. 6-4—6-30. - Reserved.

Sec. 6-1. - Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Animal means a warm-blooded animal.

Cat means a domestic feline (Felis catus) of either sex, including one neutered or sterilized.

Dog means a domestic canine (Canis familiaris) of either sex, including one neutered or sterilized.

Domestic animal means dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, and any other species of animal which is sold or retained as a household pet, but shall not include skunks, nonhuman primates, and any other species of wild, exotic or carnivorous animal that may be further restricted in this chapter.

Harboring means the act of keeping and caring for an animal, or of providing a premises to which the animal returns for food, shelter or care for a period of ten days.

Impoundment means quarantining an animal in a designated detention site which is under the supervision of the county health officer or his representative.

Owner means any individual, corporation, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, or any other legal entity who has the right of property in an animal, or who harbors any animal, or allows an animal to remain about its premises for a period of ten days.

Person means any individual, corporation, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, or any other legal entity.

Quarantine means strict confinement under restraint by closed cage or paddock or in any other manner approved by the state department of health or its designee on the private premises of the owner or at a facility approved by the state department of health or its designee for a period of at least ten days or more as prescribed by the county health officer.

Rabies means an acute viral disease of man and animal affecting the central nervous system and usually transmitted by an animal.

Rabies vaccination means the vaccination of a dog, cat or other domestic animal with a modified live virus rabies vaccine which shall be administered only by or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian.

Running at large means pertaining to any animal off the premises of the owner and not under the physical, visible or audible control of the owner or his authorized representative. An animal intruding upon the property of another person other than the owner shall be termed "running at large."

Stray means any animal that is allowed to run free with no physical restraint beyond the premises of the owner or for which there is no identifiable owner.

Veterinarian means a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state.

Vicious animal means any animal that commits an unprovoked attack upon a person on public or private property, or that attacks, threatens to attack or terrorizes a person on public property or in a public place.

Wild animal means all species of animals which exist in a natural unconfined state and are not usually domesticated.

(Ord. No. 82-1598, § 1, 10-4-1982)

Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.

Sec. 6-2. - Penalties for violation of chapter.

(a)  Violation of dog and cat vaccination requirements. An owner commits an offense if he fails or refuses to have each dog and cat he owns vaccinated against rabies, and such animal is required to be vaccinated under the provisions of article III, division 2 of this chapter. An offense under this subsection is a class C misdemeanor.

(b) Violation of animal quarantine requirements. An owner commits an offense if he fails or refuses to quarantine or present for quarantine any animal which is required to be placed in quarantine under the provisions of article III, division 4 of this chapter. An offense under this section is a class C misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 82-1598, § 8, 10-4-1982)

Sec. 6-3. - Fees; licenses; permits.

The county health officer, with the consent and approval of the commissioners court shall establish a schedule of fees for impoundment or quarantine which are on file in the county health and human services department.

(Ord. No. 82-1598, § 7.2, 10-4-1982)

Secs. 6-4—6-30. - Reserved.

City of Dallas Dangerous dog Laws

Article V – DANGEROUS DOGS

Sec. 7-5.1         Definitions
Sec. 7-5.2         State law; animal control authority
Sec. 7-5.3         Determination as a dangerous dog
Sec. 7-5.4         Appeals
Sec. 7-5.5         Requirements for ownership of a dangerous dog; noncompliance hearing
Sec. 7-5.6         Attacks by dangerous dog; hearing
Sec. 7-5.7         Prohibition on owning a dog determined dangerous by another jurisdiction
Sec. 7-5.8         Surrender of a dangerous dog
Sec. 7-5.9         Dangerous dog owned or harbored by minor
Sec. 7-5.10       Defenses

Sec. 7-5.1    Definitions

(a) Except where a term is otherwise defined in Subsection (b) of this section, the definitions contained in Subchapter D, Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended, are incorporated into this article by reference.

(b) In this article:

(1) BODILY INJURY means physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition.
(2) DANGEROUS DOG means a dog that:

(A) makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own; or
(B) commits unprovoked acts in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own, and those acts cause a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury to that person.

(3) SERIOUS BODILY INJURY means an injury characterized by severe bite wounds or severe ripping and tearing of muscle that would cause a reasonably prudent person to seek treatment from a medical professional and would require hospitalization without regard to whether the person actually sought medical treatment.
(4) UNPROVOKED means an action by a dog that is not:

(A) in response to being tormented, abused, or assaulted by any person;
(B) in response to pain or injury;
(C) in protection of itself or its food, kennel, immediate territory, or nursing offspring; or
(D) in response to an assault or attempted assault on a person.

(Ord. Nos. 26024; 27250)

Sec. 7-5.2    State law; animal control authority

(a) The provisions of Subchapter D, Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended, are incorporated into this article, and a violation of any provision of Subchapter D, Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended, is an offense under this article.

(b) The director shall serve as the animal control authority for the city for purposes of administering and enforcing this article and Subchapter D, Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended.

(c) Seizure, impoundment, and humane destruction of a dog that has caused death or serious bodily injury to a person is governed by Subchapter A, Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended.

(Ord. Nos. 26024; 27250)

Sec. 7-5.3    Determination as a dangerous dog

(a) Upon receipt of a sworn, written complaint by any person of an incident described in Section 7-5.1(b)(2)(A) or (B) of this article, the director shall investigate and conduct a hearing to determine if a dog is dangerous. The hearing must be conducted within 30 days after receipt of the complaint.

(b) The director shall provide notice of the date, time, and location of a hearing to the dog owner, either in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested, and to the complainant by regular mail. A hearing must be conducted not less than 10 days after notice has been mailed or delivered to the dog owner. At a hearing, all interested persons will be given the opportunity to present evidence on the issue of the dog's dangerousness.

(c) If a dog has caused bodily injury to any person, the director may seize and impound the dog at the owner's expense pending the hearing and a determination of whether the dog is a dangerous dog. If the director cannot, with due diligence, locate the owner of the dog that has been seized under this subsection, the director shall impound the dog. If the owner of the dog has not been located before the 15th day after seizure and impoundment, the director may order the dog to be humanely destroyed. If, during the time the dog is impounded, the owner claims the dog, the owner shall be served with notice of a hearing as provided in Subsection (b) of this section.

(d) At the conclusion of a hearing required by this section, the director shall:

(1) determine that the dog is not dangerous and, if the dog is impounded, waive any impoundment fees incurred and release the dog to its owner;
(2) determine that the dog is dangerous and order the owner to comply with the requirements for ownership of a dangerous dog set forth in Section 7-5.5 of this article and in Subchapter D, Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended, and, if the dog is impounded, release the dog to its owner after compliance with all applicable requirements of Subsection (f) of this section; or
(3) determine that the dog is dangerous and order the owner to permanently remove the dog from the city within a designated period of time.

(e) If a dog is determined to be dangerous, the director shall notify the dog owner, either in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested:

(1) that the dog has been determined to be a dangerous dog;
(2) whether the dog must be permanently removed from the city and the date by which the dog must be removed;
(3) what the owner must do to comply with requirements for ownership of a dangerous dog that is allowed to remain in the city and to reclaim the dog, if impounded; and
(4) that the owner has a right to appeal the determination of dangerousness or any order to remove the dog from the city.

(f) An impounded dog determined by the director to be dangerous must remain impounded, or confined at a location approved by the director, and will not be released to the owner until the owner pays all fees incurred for impoundment of the dog and:

(1) if and while the dog is allowed to remain in the city, complies with all requirements for ownership of a dangerous dog set forth in this article and Subchapter D, Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended; or
(2) if the dog is ordered permanently removed from the city, provides the director, in writing, with the street address, telephone number, and name of the person in control of the location outside of the city where the dog will be relocated or other evidence satisfactory to the director that the dog will be permanently removed from the city.

(g) If the owner of an impounded dog has not complied with Subsection (f) within 30 days after a final determination is made that an impounded dog is dangerous, the director may file a complaint in municipal court under Section 7-5.5 of this article.

(Ord. Nos. 26024; 27250)

Sec. 7-5.4  Appeals

If, under Section 7-5.3 of this article, the director determines that a dog is dangerous or orders a dangerous dog to be permanently removed from the city, that decision is final unless the dog owner files a written appeal with the municipal court within 15 days after receiving notice that the dog has been determined to be dangerous or ordered to be removed from the city. The appeal standard is a substantial evidence review and is a civil proceeding for the purpose of affirming or reversing the director's determination of dangerousness or affirming, reversing, or modifying the director's removal order. If the municipal court allows a dangerous dog to remain in the city, the court shall order that the dog owner comply with the ownership requirements set forth in Section 7-5.5 of this article and may order additional conditions for maintaining ownership of a dangerous dog in the city.

(Ord. Nos. 26024; 27250)

Sec. 7-5.5   Requirements for ownership of a dangerous dog; noncompliance hearing

(a) In addition to complying with the requirements of Subchapter D, Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended, a person shall, not later than the 30th day after learning that he is the owner of a dangerous dog:

(1) have an unsterilized dangerous dog spayed or neutered;
(2) register the dangerous dog with the director and pay to the director a dangerous dog registration fee of $50;
(3) restrain the dangerous dog at all times on a leash in the immediate control of a person or in a secure enclosure;
(4) obtain liability insurance coverage or show financial responsibility in an amount of at least $100,000 to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous dog causing bodily injury to a person and provide proof of the required liability insurance coverage or financial responsibility to the director;
(5) place and maintain on the dangerous dog a collar or harness with a current dangerous dog registration tag securely attached to it;
(6) have the dangerous dog injected with a microchip implant and registered with a national registry for dogs; and
(7) post a sign at each entrance to the enclosure in which the dangerous dog is confined stating "BEWARE DANGEROUS DOG."

(b) The owner of a dangerous dog shall renew registration of the dangerous dog with the director annually and pay an annual dangerous dog registration fee to the director of $50.

(c) The owner of a dangerous dog who does not comply with Subsection (a) shall deliver the dog to the director not later than the 30th day after learning that the animal is dangerous.

(d) The owner of a dangerous dog that has been ordered removed from the city shall relocate the dog to a place outside of the city within the time designated in the order. Within five days after the expiration of the time ordered for the dog's removal, the owner shall provide the director with proof of the removal and relocation, or other disposition, of the dog. Such proof must include the owner's written sworn affidavit stating:

(1) that the dog is no longer located in the city; and
(2) the name, street address, and telephone number of the person outside of the city in possession of the dog or the details of any other disposition of the dog.

(e) Upon receipt of a sworn, written complaint by any person that the owner of a previously determined dangerous dog has failed to comply with Subsection (a) of this section or has failed to remove the dog from the city as required by order of the director or the municipal court, the municipal court shall conduct a hearing to determine whether the owner is in compliance with Subsection (a) or with an order of removal, whichever applies. The hearing must be conducted within 30 days after receipt of the complaint, but, if the dog is already impounded, not later than 10 days after the date on which the dog was seized or delivered. The municipal court shall provide, either in person or by mail, written notice of the date, time, and location of the hearing to the dog owner and to the complainant. Any interested person may present evidence at the hearing.

(f) At the conclusion of the hearing, the municipal court shall:

(1) find that the owner of a dangerous dog is in compliance with Subsection (a) of this section or with an order of removal, whichever applies, and, if the dog is impounded, order the director to waive any impoundment fees incurred and release the dog to its owner; or
(2) find that the owner of a dangerous dog is not in compliance with Subsection (a) of this section or with an order of removal, whichever applies, and order the director to seize and impound the dog (if the dog is not already impounded) and to:

(A) humanely destroy the dog if the director determines that the owner has not complied with Subsection (a) of this section by the 11th day after the date the municipal court issues an order under this subsection or the dog is seized and impounded, whichever occurs later, or release the dog to the owner if the director determines that the owner has complied with Subsection (a) before the 11th day;

(B) release the dog to the owner if the director determines that the owner will permanently remove the dog from the city before the 11th day after the date the municipal court issues an order under this subsection or the dog is seized and impounded, whichever occurs later, and reseize, impound, and humanely destroy the dog if the owner has not permanently removed the dog from the city by the 11th day; or

(C) humanely destroy the dog if:

(i) the director determines that the owner will not comply with Subsection (a) of this section by the 11th day after the date the municipal court issues an order under this subsection or the dog is seized and impounded, whichever occurs later;
(ii) the director determines that the owner will not permanently remove the dog from the city before the 11th day after the date the municipal court issues an order under this subsection or the dog is seized and impounded, whichever occurs later; or
(iii) the owner of the dog cannot be located before the 15th day after the date the municipal court issues an order under this subsection or the dog is seized and impounded, whichever occurs later.

(g) The owner of the dangerous dog is responsible for all costs of seizure, acceptance, and impoundment, and all costs must be paid before the dog will be released to the owner.

(Ord. Nos. 26024; 27250)

Sec. 7-5.6    Attacks by dangerous dog; hearing

(a) If a previously determined dangerous dog commits an act described in Section 7-5.1(b)(2)(A) or (B) of this article, the director may seize and impound the dangerous dog at the owner's expense pending a hearing before the municipal court in accordance with this section.

(b) Upon receipt of a sworn, written complaint by any person of an incident described in Section 7-5.1(b)(2)(A) or (B) of this article, the municipal court shall conduct a hearing to determine whether a dangerous dog committed an act described in Section 7-5.1(b)(2)(A) or (B) of this article. The hearing must be conducted within 30 days after receipt of the complaint, but, if the dog is already impounded, not later than 10 days after the date on which the dog was seized or delivered. The municipal court shall provide, either in person or by mail, written notice of the date, time, and location of the hearing to the dog owner and the complainant. Any interested person may present evidence at the hearing.

(c) At the conclusion of the hearing, the municipal court shall:

(1) find that the dangerous dog did not commit an act described in Section 7-5.1(b)(2)(A) or (B) of this article, and, if the dog is impounded, order the director to waive any impoundment fees incurred and release the dog to its owner;
(2) find that the dangerous dog did commit an act described in Section 7-5.1(b)(2)(A) or (B) of this article, and order the director to seize and impound the dog (if the dog is not already impounded) and to:

(A) humanely destroy the dog;
(B) humanely destroy the dog if the director determines that the owner has not complied with Section 7-5.5(a) within a period of time designated by the court, or release the dog to the owner if the director determines that the owner has complied with Section 7-5.5(a) within the designated period of time;
(C) release the dog to the owner if the director determines that the owner will permanently remove the dog from the city within a period of time designated by the court and reseize, impound, and humanely destroy the dog if the owner has not permanently removed the dog from the city within the designated period of time; or
(D) humanely destroy the dog if the owner of the dog has not been located before the 15th day after the municipal court issues an order under this subsection or the dog is seized and impounded, whichever occurs later.

(d) The owner of a dangerous dog is responsible for all costs of seizure, acceptance, and impoundment, and all costs must be paid before the dog will be released to the owner.

(Ord. 27250)

Sec. 7-5.7    Prohibition on owning a dog determined dangerous by another jurisdiction

(a) A person commits an offense if he owns a dog in the city that has been determined to be a dangerous dog by any other jurisdiction.

(b) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that the person owned the dog in the city on June 25, 2008.

(Ord. 27250)

Sec. 7-5.8   Surrender of a dangerous dog

A person who owns a dog that has been ordered to be seized or impounded under this article commits an offense if the person does not surrender the dog to the director within the time period ordered by the director or the municipal court, whichever applies.

(Ord. 27250)

Sec. 7-5.9    Dangerous dog owned or harbored by minor

If the owner of a dangerous dog is a minor, the parent or guardian of the minor is liable for all injuries sustained by any person or another animal in an unprovoked attack by the dog.

(Ord. Nos. 26024; 27250)

Sec. 7-5.10  Defenses

Any defense to prosecution under Subchapter D, Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, as amended, is a defense to prosecution for a violation under this article.

(Ord. Nos. 26024; 27250)

Family Bystander Mental Anguish Claims

Texas recognizes the right of bystanders to recover damages for mental anguish caused by witnessing an accident, with the following limitations: the bystander must be a parent or child of the victim and the victim must have been killed or severely injured in the animal attack or mauling. Therefore, if you have witnessed a close family member mauled or bitten by a dog, you may want to pursue legal action on behalf of the injury victim as well as your own claims for witnessing such a horrific event. Contact a Dallas dog bite lawyer today to discuss bystander and mental anguish claims.

Negligence Based on Failure to Stop an Attack

A Texas dog owner owes a duty to attempt to stop his dog from attacking a person after the attack has begun. This is a civil duty, meaning that the Dallas dog bite victim can sue for monetary damages if the dog owner does not attempt to stop the attack.

If you or a loved one have been bitten or mauled by a dangerous dog in Dallas or Dallas County, TX, please contact one of the experienced Dallas dog bite injury lawyers listed on this page.

What Should You Do if You Have Been Bitten by a Dog?

  1. Make every attempt to keep the animal in sight, find its owner, and obtain the owner’s contact information, preferably verified by their photo ID.
  2. Immediately wash the wound out with soap and warm water.
  3. Make sure that you are up to date on your tetanus shots.
  4. Seek the help of a physician or visit a local hospital.
  5. Report the bite to the Dallas Planning and Development Services Department (contact information below). 
  6. Seek the help of a Dallas dog bite attorney, if necessary, and maintain copies of all medical records and other relevant evidence.

For more information on dog bites and their victims, visit DogsBite.org

Dog Bite Reporting:

If you would like to report a Dallas area or Dallas County dog bite or ask other questions pertaining to veterinary public health, do not hesitate to contact the Dallas Planning and Development Services Department office at:

Animal Services Division
2377 North Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75207
( 214) 819-2000

General inquiries:

For general information regarding Environmental Health programs and activities, please visit the Dallas Planning and Development Services Department website.

If you would like to report a dog bite, in Dallas, Dallas County, or any of the surrounding communities listed below, please visit
  Dallas Animal Services website for reporting rabies.

If you live within Dallas city limits call: (214) 670-6800
 

Animal Training:

A variety of animal training classes and services are offered by the Dallas SPCA.  The Dallas SPCA may be reached at:

SPCA
2400 Lone Star Drive, Dallas, TX 75212
214-742-(7722)


If you would like to report an instance of animal cruelty to the Dallas  click here, and follow the recommended procedures.

Contact a Dallas Dog Bite Lawyer if you have been attacked or bitten by a dog.

Contact one of the experienced Dallas dog bite lawyers above for a consultation regarding your claim.

Personal Injury Attorneys Serve Dallas and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Central Texas, including Addison, Allen, Arlington, Audelia, Balch Springs, Bedford, Cedar Hill, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Coppell, Dallas, Dalrock, De Soto, Duncanville, Farmers Branch, Ft. Worth, Forney, Garland, Glenn Heights, Grapevine, Grand Prairie, Highland Park, Hutchins, Irving, Lancaster, Lewisville, Mansfield, Mesquite, Midlothian, Murphy, Plano, Richardson, Rockwall, Rowlett, Sachse, Seagoville, Sunnyvale, Trinity Mills, University Park, Wilmer, Wylie, areas in the vicinity of Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport, and other communities in Collin County, Dallas County, Denton County, Kaufman County, and Rockwall County.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, please contact one of the experienced Dallas County dog bite lawyers listed on this page.