What to Do After a Dog Bite
in San Diego — Step-by-Step

Get to Safety

The first priority after a dog bite is getting away from the dog. If the animal is still nearby and appears agitated, do not try to approach, confront, or restrain it. Put distance between yourself and the dog — a fence, a door, or a vehicle can help — and move toward other people if you're in a public area.

If the dog is still aggressive, if you or anyone else is seriously injured, or if the situation otherwise feels dangerous, call 911 right away. If children were present, make sure they are also clear of the dog before anyone tends to injuries.

Get Medical Attention

Once you're safe, seek medical attention — at an emergency room, urgent care, or from your regular doctor — even if the wound looks minor. Dog bites often cause puncture wounds that can carry bacteria deeper into tissue than they appear to on the surface, and injuries to nerves or tendons aren't always obvious right away, especially with adrenaline still in your system.

A medical professional can clean and examine the wound properly, assess for signs of infection, and advise on things like a tetanus booster or antibiotics if appropriate. This is general information, not a substitute for professional medical advice — when in doubt, get it checked out.

Emergency care options in San Diego include: UC San Diego Health – Hillcrest Medical Center (200 W. Arbor Drive), Sharp Memorial Hospital (7901 Frost St.), Scripps Mercy Hospital (4077 Fifth Ave.), Rady Children's Hospital (3020 Children's Way) for children, and urgent care centers throughout the county for less severe wounds.

Give Basic Care While You Wait

While you're getting to care or waiting to be seen, a few general first-aid steps may help: gently rinse the wound with clean, running water for a few minutes to help remove surface debris, and apply light pressure with a clean cloth if it's bleeding. Elevating the injured area can also help reduce bleeding and swelling.

Avoid trying to close a puncture or bite wound yourself — many bite wounds are better left for a medical professional to clean and assess before any closure. This is general, public information and is not a substitute for guidance from a medical provider.

Identify the Dog and Owner, If It's Safe to Do So

If it is safe, it can help to get some basic information about the dog and its owner before leaving the scene. This isn't about confrontation — if the owner is present and willing to talk, a calm, brief exchange is usually enough. Helpful details include:

• The dog owner's name and contact information
• Whether the dog has current proof of rabies vaccination
• The dog's breed, size, color, and any visible tags

If the owner is not cooperative, becomes upset, or leaves the area, don't pursue the situation — note what you can from a safe distance and let animal control follow up instead. If bystanders are present, they may be able to help identify the dog or owner as well.

Collect Witness Information

If anyone saw the attack happen, it can help to ask for their name and a way to reach them — a phone number or email is usually enough. A witness who saw what happened can provide an independent account, which is especially useful if there's ever a disagreement about how the incident occurred.

Even someone who only arrived right after the attack and saw your injuries or the dog's behavior afterward can be a useful witness. If the bite happened somewhere with visible security or doorbell cameras — common in San Diego neighborhoods and apartment complexes — it may be worth noting that as well.

Photograph Your Injuries and the Scene

Once you're safe and any urgent medical needs are addressed, photographs can help create an accurate, timestamped record of what happened. This is useful information to have on hand regardless of what you decide to do next. Consider photographing:

• Your injuries — from a few different angles, both close-up and wider shots for context.
• The location — where the attack happened, and the dog if it's safe to do so.
• Damaged clothing or property — before washing or discarding anything.
• Your recovery over time — a few photos every couple of days as the wound heals can help document the healing process.

Report the Bite to Local Authorities

Reporting a dog bite helps create an official record of the incident and allows local authorities to look into the dog's vaccination status and any public-safety concerns. Where you file a report generally depends on where the bite occurred:

• San Diego County Department of Animal Services: (619) 767-2675 — for unincorporated areas of San Diego County
• City of San Diego Animal Control: (619) 236-4250 — for incidents within the City of San Diego
• Chula Vista Animal Care Facility: (619) 691-5123 — for incidents in Chula Vista
• El Cajon Animal Control: via the El Cajon Police Department — (619) 579-3311
• Escondido Animal Services: (760) 839-4157 — for incidents in Escondido

When you report, you'll generally be asked for the dog owner's information, the location and time of the incident, a description of the dog, and a description of your injuries. Ask for a copy of the report number for your own records.

If the bite involved a dog owned by a friend, neighbor, or family member, reporting can feel uncomfortable — but it's a routine, separate process from your personal relationship with them, and it's generally handled through the dog owner's insurance rather than out of pocket.

Keep Your Records Together

As you go through treatment and follow-up, it helps to keep everything related to the incident organized in one place — physical folder, phone album, or digital file, whatever works for you. This can include:

• Medical records, bills, and receipts related to your treatment
• Your animal control report number and any correspondence with them
• Photographs of your injuries, the scene, and any damaged property
• Witness names and contact information
• Any communications you have with the dog owner or an insurance company

Some people also find it helpful to jot down brief, dated notes about how they're feeling and how the injury is affecting daily activities during recovery. This is optional — it's simply another way of keeping an accurate personal record, not a required legal document.

Be Thoughtful With Insurance Communications

After a dog bite, the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance company may reach out to ask about what happened. You're not required to provide a detailed recorded statement or accept a settlement offer right away — especially if your injuries are still being treated or you don't yet know the full extent of them.

It's reasonable to take your time, ask questions, and get a clear picture of your situation before agreeing to anything. For more serious injuries or if you feel uncertain about how to respond, some people choose to get independent advice from a local attorney before speaking further with an insurance company.

Consider Speaking With an Independent Local Attorney

Not every dog bite situation requires legal help — many are resolved simply through medical care, a report, and a straightforward conversation with an insurance company. That said, some people choose to speak with an independent, local licensed attorney when injuries are more significant, when there's a disagreement about what happened, or when they simply have questions about their options.

If your situation involves more serious injuries, our severe dog attack injuries page covers that topic in more depth, and our dog attack injury page has more information about the legal side of a claim. This site can also help connect you with an independent local licensed attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation if you'd like to talk through your specific situation.