Should You Report a Dog Bite to Onslow County Animal Control?

The answer is yes and here's why you should let Onslow County Animal Control know if you've had an encounter with an aggressive animal:

1. Reporting a dog bite can prevent another person (or their pet) from a painful injury
2. Even if the bite "wasn't that serious", the owner has a chance to seek corrective training for their dog... and that could prevent the dog from being destroyed if there are incidents in the future.
3. When you report a dog bite after sustaining an injury or damage to your property, you have laid the foundation for seeking compensation in small claims court.

Let's take a look at how you can file a problem dog report with Onslow County Animal Control using the county's regular communication channels. Next, we'll show you how you can use DoNotPay to file a report and send the owner a letter demanding compensation.

Important Facts About Animal Control in Onslow County

• Onslow County only presides over unincorporated areas within the county. Most cities or towns have animal control services.
• All dogs in Onslow County, when not contained within the owner's property, must be on a leash.
• The owner of the aggressive pet is liable for damages and injuries to the victim.
• You do not need a dog bite lawyer to file a report or pursue damages after an attack, but you might benefit from having DoNotPay on your side.

How to Reach Onslow County Animal Control

You can find Onslow County Animal Control in Jacksonville, NC. Here's how to reach them:

The DIY Way to File a Problem Animal Report to Onslow County Animal Control

Important: If the attack is ongoing or someone was seriously injured, the first thing you should do is call 911. Be very clear about what happened, and let the dispatcher know whether the dog is under the owner's control or is on the loose.

If for some reason, animal control or police officer was unable to take your report at the scene, you can report the attack on your own later. Here are the steps:

1. Take Care of Your Injuries First

Dog bites can cause serious infections, and if it's unknown whether the animal was current on its rabies vaccinations, you'll need to get antiviral shots as soon as possible.

2. Document Everything

If you're going to report a dog bite, the first thing you should do is begin taking notes of everything that happened from the moment the incident occurred. Not only will this information help you make a more accurate report, but it will lay down the groundwork for action should you end up with more medical bills than you can handle on your own. Here's the information you need:

• When the event occurred
• The animal owner's name and contact information
• Statements and contact information from witnesses
• Badge number and names of any responding law enforcement
• A detailed description of the encounter
• A detailed description of the animal, including:

1. 1. Size
   2. Breed
   3. Behavior
   4. Whether it was under the direct physical control of its handler/owner

• Copies of medical, psychological, or veterinary diagnoses and bills
• Any case or report numbers assigned to the incident

3. Organize and Send Your Report

Make sure your documents are neat and legible and summarize them in a brief, professional cover letter. Even if an officer took your report on the scene, you will want to submit your documentation to the case files.

Address your cover letter to Animal Control Manager Richard Gabbert and send your report and documents to him via USPS first-class mail with delivery confirmation. (You may upgrade to Priority or Express if you wish to do so, but it's not necessary.)

4. Follow Up and Determine Your Next Step

In about seven days from the date you sent your report to the officer on the scene, call the Animal Control Manager to make sure your report was received. If it's been processed, ask for an official copy of the incident report for your own records.

Now it's time to decide if you plan to seek compensation from the dog's owner. You can either file a small claims suit on your own or with the help of DoNotPay at the same time you file a report, as described below.

How to Report an Animal-Related Incident With DoNotPay

If you want to report an animal-related injury and/or seek compensation from the dog's owner, DoNotPay has you covered in 3 easy steps:

1. Search "animal" on DoNotPay, find the Animal Control product, and select whether you've sustained a physical injury.

2. Select whether you would like to report this incident to your local government agency, or demand compensation from the pet owner.

3. Tell us more about the incident, including when and where you were injured, a description of the animal that caused the injury, and the contact information for the pet owner (if known).

And that's it! DoNotPay will file the demand letter or dog bite report on your behalf with your incident details!

Why Use DoNotPay for Your Animal Control Services

The reason why DoNotPay has been successful with its continued service is due to to the fact that its:

Fast—You don't have to spend hours trying to solve the issue

Easy—You don't have to struggle to fill out tedious forms or keep track of all the steps involved in solving your problem

Successful—You can rest assured knowing we'll make the best case for you

Does DoNotPay Handle Animal Control Issues in Other Areas?

You can let us file a dog bite report in any U.S. jurisdiction. Here's information on some of our busiest areas:

• Los Angeles animal control issues
• Atlanta animal control issues
• Miami animal control issues
• Pennsylvania dog bite laws
• California dog bite laws
• Texas animal dog bite laws
• Ohio dog bite laws

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

Handling animal incidents is just one of the many valuable services that DoNotPay provides. We can also help you with a variety of other issues, including:

• Small Claims Court
• Seeking Compensation for Victims of Crimes
• Contacting Government Agencies
• Neighbor Complaints

Why Should I Choose DoNotPay?

Because we're easy, fast, trustworthy, and successful, we can help you solve hundreds of consumer issues with minimal paperwork. If you have to report a dog bite to Onslow Animal Control, this project is a good way to give us a try. Let's get started now, so you can move on and put the trauma of a dog attack behind you as quickly as possible.