After a dog bite, wash the wound with soap and water for at least five minutes, apply antibiotic ointment, cover it with a clean bandage, and get medical care the same day. In New York City, you must also report the bite to the Health Department within 24 hours by calling 311. Acting quickly on both steps protects your health and creates a record you may need later.
Dog bites happen fast. One moment you're walking through your neighborhood; the next you're dealing with a puncture wound, a frightened animal, and an owner who may or may not cooperate. This guide walks through each step in order, from securing the scene to following up on treatment.
What to Do After a Dog Bite: Six Steps in Order
The following steps apply to any dog bite in New York. Work through them in sequence, even if the wound looks minor.
Step 1: Control the Scene and Get Safe
Your first priority is distance from the dog. Do not chase the animal or try to corner it, even if you want to identify it. A threatened dog is more likely to bite again.
Once you are away from the dog:
- Apply steady pressure to any bleeding wound using a clean cloth or folded gauze
- Note the dog's breed, color, size, collar color, and any visible tags
- Ask any witnesses for their name and phone number before they leave
- Get the owner's full name, address, and phone number, and ask to see the dog's rabies vaccination record if they are present
Do not let the owner leave before you have their contact information. Even if the bite seems minor, you will need these details for the Health Department report and for your medical provider.
Step 2: How to Treat a Dog Bite Wound Right Away
Before you reach a doctor, you can cut your infection risk significantly.
Wash the wound with soap and running water for at least five minutes. This is the single most effective first-aid step for a dog bite. Running water dilutes bacteria from the dog's saliva, and soap disrupts the cell membranes of common pathogens. Do not rush this step.
After washing:
- Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment such as bacitracin
- Cover the wound loosely with a clean bandage or sterile gauze
- Do not try to close a deep puncture wound yourself; sealing it traps bacteria inside
If the bleeding is heavy and does not slow with direct pressure after 10 minutes, go straight to an emergency room.
Step 3: Get Medical Care the Same Day
A dog bite that looks minor on the surface can still carry serious infection risk. Dog saliva contains bacteria not normally found on human skin. Pasteurella multocida is the most common culprit. It can cause cellulitis, a spreading skin infection, within 24 hours of the bite. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are also frequently present.
See a doctor the same day for any bite that broke the skin. Your provider will:
- Clean and assess the wound
- Decide whether to prescribe antibiotics (common for hand and foot bites)
- Check your tetanus status and give a booster if needed. Dog bites are classified as dirty wounds, so your provider may recommend a booster if your last one was more than five years ago.
- Assess rabies exposure risk based on the dog's vaccination history and behavior
When to go directly to an emergency room:
- The bite is on your hand, foot, face, or near a joint
- You can see bone, tendon, or fat tissue
- Bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure
- You are immunocompromised, diabetic, or taking blood thinners
- The dog was acting strangely before or during the bite
- You cannot locate the dog or confirm its vaccination status
A word on rabies: rabies from a dog bite is rare in the United States, but the risk is not zero if the dog's vaccination status is unknown. Your doctor will determine whether post-exposure prophylaxis is needed. Do not delay this evaluation.
Keep all paperwork from the visit. The date, the facility name, and all discharge instructions document the injury and treatment timeline.
Step 4: Report the Dog Bite in New York City
In New York City, the Health Code requires all animal bites to be reported to the NYC Health Department within 24 hours.
How to report:
- Call 311
- Call the Animal Bite Unit directly at 646-364-1799
- Submit online through the NYC Health Department website
After you report, the Health Department contacts the dog's owner and monitors the animal for 10 days. That observation period is the standard protocol for ruling out rabies. If the dog stays healthy, you did not receive a rabies exposure. The process only works if the report is filed on time.
Outside New York City: Requirements vary by county. Call your local health department to ask about their animal bite reporting process. Some counties require it; others strongly recommend it.
Filing a report also creates an official record. If the same dog has bitten someone before, that prior complaint may appear in the file.
Step 5: Document the Incident
Documentation serves two purposes: it supports your medical care and it creates a record of what happened.
Photograph your injuries as close to the time of the bite as possible — ideally before the wound is cleaned and dressed. Use your phone; the date and time stamp is sufficient. Take photos from multiple angles.
Photograph the scene if you are still there: the spot where the bite occurred, the dog if visible and safe to photograph, the owner's vehicle if you have it, and any blood or torn clothing.
Write a narrative account the same day. Include:
- The time and exact location of the incident
- What you were doing before the bite
- The dog's behavior leading up to the bite
- What the owner said and did immediately afterward
- The names of any witnesses
Memory fades quickly after a stressful event. A written account made the same day is far more reliable than one produced weeks later.
Keep all medical records: visit summaries, prescriptions, wound care instructions, and any photos your provider takes.
Step 6: Watch for Signs of Infection
Infection is the most common complication after a dog bite. Even with proper first aid and antibiotic treatment, monitor the wound closely for several days.
Signs of infection:
- Redness that spreads beyond the wound edges
- Increasing swelling or warmth
- Pus or discharge from the wound
- Pain that gets worse rather than better
- Fever or chills
Pasteurella infections can appear within 24 hours of the bite. Other infections typically develop over two to five days. If you notice any of these signs, contact your doctor promptly. Do not wait for your next scheduled appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites
How do you treat a dog bite wound at home?
Wash the wound with mild soap and running water for at least five minutes, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover it with a clean bandage. Home care is a first step only. Any bite that broke the skin should be evaluated by a doctor the same day to check for infection risk and assess rabies exposure.
Should I go to the ER after a dog bite?
Go to an emergency room if the bite is on your hand, foot, or face; if bleeding does not stop within 10 minutes of direct pressure; if you can see deeper tissue; or if you are immunocompromised. For less severe bites, an urgent care clinic or your primary care doctor can handle same-day evaluation.
Do I need a tetanus shot after a dog bite?
Dog bites are classified as dirty wounds, so the CDC recommends a tetanus booster if your last one was more than five years ago. Your doctor will check your vaccination record at the visit and give a booster if needed.
How do I report a dog bite in New York City?
Call 311, call the NYC Animal Bite Unit at 646-364-1799, or file a report online through the NYC Health Department. Reports must be filed within 24 hours per the New York City Health Code. The Health Department then monitors the dog for 10 days to assess rabies risk.
What are the signs of infection after a dog bite?
Watch for spreading redness, increasing swelling, warmth around the wound, pus or discharge, worsening pain, and fever. Pasteurella infections can appear within 24 hours; other bacterial infections typically show up within two to five days. Contact your doctor right away if any of these signs develop.
How long after a dog bite do symptoms appear?
Most infection symptoms appear within 24 to 72 hours. Pasteurella multocida can cause rapid-onset cellulitis within 24 hours of the bite. Some infections develop more slowly over three to five days.
Can you get rabies from a vaccinated dog?
The risk is very low. A dog that is current on its rabies vaccination is highly unlikely to transmit the disease. Your doctor will assess the animal's vaccination history and behavior to decide whether post-exposure prophylaxis is needed.
If You Have Legal Questions About Your Dog Bite
The steps above focus on your health and creating a record of what happened. If the bite left you with significant injuries, medical bills, or time missed from work, you may have questions about your legal options. Those questions belong with an attorney. The Orlow Firm's page on dog bite injuries in Queens explains how New York law applies to dog bite cases and what an injured person may be able to pursue.
Sources & Official Resources
NYC Government Sources
Federal Health Sources 4. CDC — Tetanus Vaccine Recommendations 5. CDC — Healthy Pets: Dogs
Medical Research 6. NCBI StatPearls — Pasteurella Multocida
New York Law 7. NY Agriculture & Markets Law § 123 — Dangerous Dog Statute
Contact The Orlow Firm
Dog bites can leave you with real injuries and mounting medical bills. The Orlow Firm has been helping injured New Yorkers for over 40 years, and our attorneys are ready to talk through your situation at no charge.
Call us at (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Se Habla Español.
The Orlow Firm — 71-18 Main Street, Queens, NY 11367
