Who Do I Call to Report a Dog Bite in Katy, Texas?
For immediate assistance reporting a dog bite within Katy city limits, call the Katy Police Department at 281-391-4740. For life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 immediately. To report non-emergency bites outside of Katy city limits, you will need to call the appropriate County Animal Control Department, as Katy straddles three separate counties. To report a dog bite in unincorporated parts of Harris County, call 281-999-3191 for Harris County Animal Control. For unincorporated parts of Fort Bend County, call 281-342-1512 for Fort Bend Animal Control Services. To report a dog bite in parts of Waller County, call the Waller County Sheriff’s Office at 979-826-8282. There is no separate Waller County Animal Control Department.
Am I Required to Report a Dog Bite in Katy, Texas?
Yes, you are required to report a dog bite that breaks the skin in Katy, Texas. The Texas Department of State Health requires that all dog bites be reported to ensure that there is no risk of rabies outbreak. Dogs, especially ones with unknown vaccination statuses, have the potential to carry rabies, and you may contract and spread the virus if you are bitten. When you report the bite, local animal control will begin an investigation and take the dog for a mandatory 10-day quarantine to check the dog’s vaccination records and monitor for signs of rabies. If the dog begins showing symptoms of rabies, the animal control will let the victim know to seek treatment. Reporting the dog bite also creates a record of the incident and the injuries caused by the dog, which will be helpful in proving liability in a dog bite lawsuit.
What Can I Expect After I Report a Dog Bite?
After reporting a dog bite in Katy, you can expect the local animal control to send out an officer to investigate the incident. The representative will begin a Bite Report and issue an assigned Bite Number that is cataloged in the animal control’s system. If you are the victim, ask the investigator for the Bite Number, which will make finding the report easier when you need it. In addition to assigning a Bite Number, the representative will take your statement and begin investigating who owns the dog, whether the dog has been vaccinated for rabies, whether the dog has rabies, and whether the dog has attacked before and/or is a dangerous dog.
After the investigation, the Bite Report will also contain valuable information, such as statements from the owner, the owner’s full name, address, and phone number, and the dog breed, vaccination history, veterinary information, and occasionally notes about the dog’s bite history. However, the Bite Report will not contain any dog insurance information. Unlike a car accident investigation, animal control does not investigate whether the dog owner has liability insurance coverage through homeowners, renters, or canine liability insurance. An experienced personal injury lawyer can determine whether or not the dog owner has liability insurance coverage for their dog and what the policy limit of their coverage is.
How Do I Obtain a Copy of an Animal Bite Report in Katy, Texas?
To obtain a copy of an Animal Bite Report, you will need to contact the Katy Police Department or the local animal control that created your report. In your message to the Katy Police Department or the local animal control, you will need to include the victim’s name, the date and time of the bite, where the bite happened, a description of the animal, and the Bite Number if you have it. If they do not provide the report to you, you may need to submit an open records request. It may be difficult to figure out where to obtain a copy of the Animal Bite Report or how to fill out an open records request, and occasionally, some places may delay providing the report. At Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., our firm has been helping dog bite victims obtain bite records and navigate dog bite cases since 1979. Let us fight for your rights.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit for a Dog Bite?
The Statute of Limitations for when a dog bite lawsuit must be filed in Texas is no later than two years from the date of the incident. Under Texas law, if you have not filed a lawsuit before the Statute of Limitations expires, you typically will lose your right to recover any compensation. However, there are some exceptions to the Statute of Limitations. Minors involved in a dog bite incident have until their 20th birthday to file a lawsuit for their pain and suffering and any future medical bills. This is so that a minor can make a recovery once they become an adult. If a parent of a minor wants to seek compensation for their child’s medical bills until they turn 18, they must file a lawsuit within two years from the date of the attack.
Talk to a Katy Dog Bite Lawyer for Free
If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog in Katy, you need a knowledgeable and empathetic lawyer who understands the kind of harm a dog bite can inflict, both physically and emotionally. At Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., our Katy dog bite lawyers understand the complexities that come with navigating the aftermath of a dog bite, and we are here to help in any way that we can. Our attorneys understand that making a recovery from an animal attack is not only about physical healing but also about ensuring that your rights are protected. Contact our Katy dog bite lawyers today at (713) 932-0777 to discuss your case and how we can help fight for the compensation you deserve. Consultations with our experienced attorneys are always 100% free.
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Other Dog Bite Resources
Here are some other helpful resources to help you understand your dog bite case:
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