Summer evenings in Concord bring more outdoor activity, but also more dog attacks. Factors like heat, children on break, and increased foot traffic contribute to the risk. Knowing what to do after an attack and how to hold negligent owners accountable can protect your health, your pet, and your community.
Table of Contents
- Why Do Dog Attacks Spike in the Summer?
- What Should You Do Immediately After a Dog Attack?
- How Are Dog Owners Held Accountable in Concord?
- What Should You Do If You or Your Pet Are Hurt in a Concord Dog Attack?
- FAQs
Why Do Dog Attacks Spike in the Summer?
Summer in New Hampshire means more people and pets outside. Longer daylight hours bring more foot traffic to Concord’s neighborhoods, parks, and trails. That increased activity can raise the chance of encountering unfamiliar dogs.
Some common factors behind summer dog attacks include:
- Increased outdoor activity: More people outside means more interactions between dogs and strangers.
- Heat-related irritability: Just like people, dogs can become more agitated in hot weather.
- Children on summer break: Kids often approach dogs without understanding warning signs, which can lead to bites.
Dog owners in New Hampshire have a legal responsibility to keep their pets under control. This includes using a leash when required, ensuring fences and gates are secure, and taking steps to prevent aggressive behavior. Unfortunately, not everyone takes those responsibilities seriously and the consequences can be painful and costly.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Dog Attack?
If you or your dog are attacked, your first priority is safety. Move away from the aggressive animal and get to a secure location. Once you’re safe, take these steps to protect your health and your rights.
- Get medical attention immediately: Even if the wound looks minor, dog bites can drive bacteria deep into the tissue, leading to infections like tetanus or rabies. A healthcare provider can clean the wound, assess the damage, and start any necessary treatments, including vaccines or antibiotics. If your dog was injured, take them to a veterinarian right away for evaluation and treatment.
- Identify the dog and owner: Get the owner’s full name, address, phone number, and proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination. If the owner is uncooperative, ask witnesses for help or call local authorities. Knowing whether the dog’s vaccinations are up to date is critical for determining your next medical steps.
- Call animal control or the police: Reporting the incident creates an official record and allows authorities to investigate whether the dog poses an ongoing threat. This documentation can be vital if you later pursue a claim for damages.
- Document everything thoroughly: Use your phone to take clear photos of your injuries, torn clothing, and any property damage. Photograph your pet’s injuries as well. Write down exactly what happened, including the time, date, and location, while your memory is fresh.
- Avoid direct communication with the other party’s insurance company: Insurance adjusters often try to minimize claims or shift blame to you. Let your attorney handle those conversations to protect your case.
Taking these steps right away helps protect your health, strengthens your legal position, and ensures the attack is taken seriously by both authorities and the dog’s owner.
How Are Dog Owners Held Accountable in Concord?
Dog attacks can change the way you feel about walking in your own neighborhood. In severe cases, the physical injuries are just the beginning, there may be lasting emotional effects, especially for children.
When a dog owner fails to control their animal, they may be held legally responsible for the harm caused. In Concord and throughout New Hampshire, this can mean:
- Paying for your medical bills and related costs
- Covering lost wages if you can’t work
- Reimbursing veterinary bills for injured pets
- Compensating for pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
Holding negligent owners accountable is about more than compensation—it’s about making sure they take responsibility so other residents can enjoy the community safely. Many dog bite cases are resolved through insurance claims, but some require filing a lawsuit to secure fair compensation.
If you’ve been bitten or your dog has been attacked, don’t assume the incident was just bad luck. You have legal rights, and taking action can help prevent future attacks in your neighborhood.
What Should You Do If You or Your Pet Are Hurt in a Concord Dog Attack?
If you or your pet have been injured in a dog attack in Concord, Buckley Law Offices can help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward protecting yourself and your community.
FAQs
Why are dog attacks more common in the summer?
Longer daylight hours and increased outdoor activity bring more people and pets into contact. Heat can also make dogs more irritable, and children out of school may approach animals without recognizing warning signs.
What should I do first if I’m attacked by a dog in Concord?
Your safety comes first. Get away from the dog, seek medical care immediately, and document your injuries. Then report the attack to local authorities.
Can I recover costs if my pet was injured in the attack?
Yes. In New Hampshire, owners can be held liable for veterinary bills, medications, and related expenses if their dog injures another animal.
Do I have to prove the dog had bitten before?
No. New Hampshire law does not require proof of prior aggression. Owners are typically responsible for their dog’s actions, even if it was the first incident.
What if the dog’s owner refuses to provide vaccination records?
Report the incident to animal control or the police. Authorities can investigate and verify vaccination history, which is critical for medical treatment decisions.
Should I talk to the insurance company myself?
It’s better to let an attorney handle those conversations. Insurance adjusters may try to downplay your injuries or blame you for the incident.
Can emotional trauma be part of a Concord dog bite claim?
Yes. Victims may be compensated for anxiety, fear of dogs, or post-traumatic stress in addition to physical injuries.
