What to do if your child is bitten by a dog?
Large dogs are usually considered dangerous for a child because they can hurt his/her face or neck more easily, but it should be borne in mind that small dogs can be equally dangerous, especially if they are approached abruptly, because they can bite a child out of fear.
Body
Provide the child with the necessary first aid:
- rinse the wound with water and soap as soon as possible,
- if there is bleeding, it must be stopped,
- if the child has been bitten by a pet dog, request the following information from the owner: name, address and phone number of the dog owner, proof of rabies vaccination, as well as data on the veterinarian who vaccinated and previously treated the dog,
- if a stray dog has bitten the child, contact the Communal Animal Hygiene Service in your country, whose team will go out in the field and determine if the dog has been chipped and vaccinated against rabies,
- be sure to consult a doctor as soon as possible since the treatment of the bite may require additional therapy, surgical treatment, tetanus or rabies vaccine.
If the dog has inflicted severe injuries on the child, or if injuries are in the face, head or neck area, call the emergency medical service or take the child to the emergency service immediately.
