How Do You Report a Dog Bite to Animal Control in Central Illinois?
![How Do You Report a Dog Bite to Animal Control in Central Illinois?](https://onwardinjurylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/How-Do-You-Report-a-Dog-Bite-to-Animal-Control-in-Central-Illinois.jpg)
If you or a loved one has been involved in a dog bite or animal attack in Central Illinois, you must report the incident to your local animal control authority.
By doing so, you can ensure that the attack is thoroughly investigated and the necessary steps are taken to prevent any further incidents. This article will guide you through the steps to report a dog bite to animal control in Central Illinois.
Step 1: Contact Law Enforcement in Serious Cases
In some dog bite cases where the dog bite is severe, and there is a hospitalization or an ER visit, the hospital staff will contact law enforcement for you. They will then come to the hospital and interview you regarding the incident. This process will kick the ball, and animal control will be contacted automatically.
Step 2: Contact Your Local Animal Control Authority
If law enforcement is not automatically contacted, you can contact your local animal control authority directly. To do this, you need to look up your county’s animal control authority and call them. If you live near Bloomington, IL, the local animal control is McLean County Animal Control.
If you have any trouble doing this, you can contact your local police department, and they should be able to direct you to the appropriate animal control authority immediately.
Information to Provide to Animal Control
When you call animal control, it’s essential to have all the necessary information together.
You should provide:
- The name of the dog owner
- The address where the incident occurred
- The date and time of the incident
- A description of the dog, including its breed, color, size, and any distinguishing features
- Information about the dog’s behavior before and during the attack
- The name and contact information of any witnesses to the incident
- Any relevant medical information, such as the nature and extent of your injuries, and any medical treatment you received
- Any photographs or videos of the injuries or the location where the incident occurred
- Any other relevant information you have about the incident, such as whether the dog had a history of aggression or if there were any warning signs that the dog might attack.
Providing this information to animal control will help them thoroughly investigate the incident and take appropriate action to prevent further incidents.
Report the Incident as Soon as Possible
It’s important to report the dog bite to animal control as soon as possible. By doing so, the animal control officer can interview witnesses while their memories are still fresh and gather important evidence to help pursue your claim. Delaying the report could make it challenging to gather the necessary evidence, weakening your case.
Step 3: Get a Free Consultation With a Dog Bite Attorney
If you have questions about dog bite cases in Illinois, it’s always a good idea to consult a dog bite lawyer. At Onward Injury Law, we offer a free consultation to discuss your case and answer any questions you may have.
This can help you understand your rights and legal options and determine your situation’s best course of action.
Contact us today to get started on your dog bite case.