Dog bite: what to do first and who pays for it

Last checked November 8, 2026

If a dog bites you, wash the wound with soap and water right away and call a healthcare provider immediately.¹² Get the dog owner's name and the dog's vaccine record, and report the bite. The owner's homeowners or renters insurance often pays, but some policies exclude certain breeds.³⁴

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What should you do if a dog bites you?

Any dog can bite, especially when scared, nervous, eating or protecting its toys or puppies.⁵ Even friendly pets and family dogs do it. Take care of your health first. A claim can wait a few hours. An infection cannot.

Wash the bite with soap and water right away.²
Call a healthcare provider immediately, even for a bite that looks small.¹
Find out who owns the dog. Get a name, an address and a phone number.
Ask for the dog's rabies vaccine record.
Report the bite to animal control or your local health department.
Take photos of your wounds today and as they heal. Photograph the place where it happened.

Dog bite infected? Rabies, antibiotics and home remedies

Home remedies and over-the-counter ointment are not enough to rule out infection or rabies. A clinician should decide if you need antibiotics, a tetanus shot or rabies care. Do not take leftover antibiotics.

Rabies is deadly if you do not receive medical care before symptoms start.⁶ If rabies is possible, the treatment must be given as soon as possible after the exposure.⁷ This is why finding the dog matters so much.

Bites can also spread other germs. Capnocytophaga is rare, but it can cause sepsis, heart attack, kidney failure and gangrene.⁸ People with weakened immune systems face a higher risk.⁹

Get seen right away if you notice redness that spreads, swelling, pus, fever, or if the bite is on the face, hands or a joint.

Should I report a dog bite?

Usually yes. A report creates a record and helps officials find out if the dog is vaccinated and whether it has bitten before. Many places require doctors or owners to report bites. Rules for what happens to the dog vary. In Arizona, for example, an unvaccinated dog that bites a person must be confined and quarantined at a pound or vet,¹⁰ and a vaccinated dog may be quarantined at the owner's home.¹¹

Reporting does not automatically mean the dog will be put down. Many people are afraid to report a neighbor or relative. A report still protects you, and a claim usually goes to an insurance company, not to the owner's pocket.

Who pays for a dog bite?

The dog's owner is usually responsible, and insurance is usually the real source of payment.

Source	What to know
Homeowners or renters policy	May help if the dog bites someone on the property.³ Some policies exclude certain breeds.⁴
Medical payments coverage on that policy	Pays the bills of people hurt on the property,¹² and some injuries away from home, such as at a park.¹³
Umbrella policy	Extra coverage if the home policy does not cover bites or does not pay enough¹⁴
A landlord or another person	In some states, if they knew the dog was dangerous and had control over the situation
Your health insurance	Pays your care but may ask to be repaid
Workers' compensation	If you were bitten on the job, and the owner may be a third party too¹⁵

What proof helps in a dog bite claim?

Clear photos of the wound on the day of the bite and as it heals.
Your medical records and bills. You have the right to get copies.¹⁶
The animal control report and the dog's vaccine record.
Names of witnesses and neighbors who know the dog's history.
Texts or posts where the owner admits what happened.
Torn clothing and any record of counseling for fear or trauma, especially for children.

What can a dog bite lawsuit or claim cover?

A claim can include your medical bills, plastic surgery or scar care, counseling, lost pay, and pain and suffering. Scars on the face or a child's injuries can raise special concerns. The amount depends on the injury, the insurance, and your state's law, so no one should give you a number without seeing your records.

How do dog bite laws differ by state?

This is one of the areas where state law changes the most. Many states make owners strictly responsible for most bites, even if the dog never bit anyone before. Other states require you to show the owner knew the dog could be dangerous, or that the owner was careless. Some states have exceptions if you were trespassing or provoked the dog. Deadlines also differ, and in some states they may be paused for a child. Find your state's rules on this site or use your city guide below.

Do I need a dog bite lawyer?

For a small bite that healed, with an owner and insurer who cooperate, you may not. Talk to a dog bite lawyer if you needed stitches or surgery, have scarring or nerve damage, a child was bitten, the insurer denied the claim, or the owner has no insurance. A lawyer can review it for free. Ask how your state treats a dog with no history of biting.

Mistakes to avoid after a dog bite

Treating the bite at home and skipping the doctor.
Leaving without the owner's name, so no one can check the dog's vaccines.
Not taking photos until the wound has healed.
Accepting money from the owner and signing something before you know how you will heal.
Waiting because the owner is a friend or relative. A claim usually goes to insurance, and your deadline keeps running.

Questions

What is the first thing to do for a dog bite?

Wash the wound with soap and water right away, then call a healthcare provider immediately.¹²

Will homeowners insurance pay for a dog bite?

It might. Some policies exclude certain breeds, so check the policy or ask the insurer.³⁴

Do I need a rabies shot after a dog bite?

A clinician decides. If rabies is possible, treatment must be given as soon as possible.⁷

Can I make a claim against a friend or a relative?

Yes, in many cases, and it usually goes against their insurance. Talk with them first if you can, and keep your records.

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Sources

CDC, checked 2026-11-08. “People bitten by a dog or cat should call a healthcare provider immediately.”
CDC, checked 2026-11-08. “Washing bites or scratches immediately with soap and water after possible rabies exposure”
Texas Department of Insurance, checked 2026-11-08. “If your dog bites someone on your property, your homeowners insurance might help.”
Texas Department of Insurance, checked 2026-11-08. “Some policies exclude certain breeds.”
CDC, checked 2026-11-08. “Any dog can bite especially when scared, nervous, eating, or when playing or protecting toys or puppies.”
CDC, checked 2026-11-08. “Rabies is a viral disease that is deadly if people don't receive medical care before symptoms start.”
CDC, checked 2026-11-08. “which must be given as soon as possible after an exposure”
CDC, checked 2026-11-08. “Capnocytophaga infection can cause serious complications, including sepsis, heart attack, kidney failure, and gangrene.”
CDC, checked 2026-11-08. “People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for infection and serious illness.”
Arizona Revised Statutes 11-1014, checked 2026-11-08. “An unvaccinated dog or cat that bites any person shall be confined and quarantined in a county pound”
Arizona Revised Statutes 11-1014, checked 2026-11-08. “A dog properly vaccinated pursuant to this article that bites any person may be confined and quarantined at the home of the owner”
Texas Department of Insurance, checked 2026-11-08. “Medical payments coverage in your policy pays the medical bills of people hurt on your property.”
Texas Department of Insurance, checked 2026-11-08. “It also pays for some injuries that happen away from home, like at a park.”
Texas Department of Insurance, checked 2026-11-08. “A personal liability umbrella policy helps if your home insurance doesn’t cover dog bite injuries or doesn’t pay enough.”
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, checked 2026-11-08. “The owner of an animal that bit you.”
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, checked 2026-11-08. “the right to inspect, review, and receive a copy of your medical records and billing records”

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