What damages do you owe when your dog bites another dog?
The damage can be pretty serious. You will owe for the injured dog’s veterinary care, surgical costs, and related expenses. If the injured dog is a “companion animal,” damages may also include training and other costs.
How to Spot a Fearful Dog
When dogs bite other dogs, it can feel like it came out of the blue, but dogs dont typically bite without sending out warning signals first. Learning to understand and watch for signs that indicate that another dog is fearful or anxious could help you to prevent your pooch from being bitten.
Its important to keep in mind that dogs dont usually go looking for trouble. In fact, our canine friends generally go out of their way to avoid dangerous or aggressive situations. To avoid becoming involved in an aggressive situation, dogs will give a number of warning signals before biting. Its up to pet parents to spot those signs before trouble starts.
Dogs typically bite out of fear or anxiety. Like people, a dog can become fearful due to some aspect of the current situation, or their anxiety can be related to past experiences. So, even if you believe that there is nothing happening that could cause a dog to become fearful, your dog, or another dog nearby, could be feeling the need to protect themselves.
Do Not Try to Break Up a Fight
One of the most important things to remember if your dog starts fighting with another dog is not to physically try to break it up. Putting your body in between the dogs leaves you susceptible to serious injury. If your dog is attached to a leash, try to pull him away from the altercation. You can also pour water on the animals to try to shock them apart or throw a blanket on them to try to get them apart from each other.
Once the dogs are safely separated, assess the injuries and try to stop any bleeding. Use a towel or some gauze and apply pressure to open wounds that are actively bleeding. Call an emergency veterinarian and try to get an appointment as soon as possible. Even if your pup is not bleeding, it is still a good idea to see a veterinarian to make sure there are no injuries you cannot see. Getting immediate medical attention can help you get the most successful outcome for your pet.
Before you leave the area, you should exchange contact information with the owner of the other dog. Provide your name, contact information, and vaccine status for your dog and gather the same from them as well. If the other dog is a stray, let your veterinarian know that you are unsure whether or not the other dog had any vaccines. The more information you can provide the veterinarian, the better care they can provide for your dog.
