What to Do After a Dog Bite in Kentucky: First Aid, Reporting and Your Rights

Reviewed by Larry Forman, Attorney.

A dog bite can happen in seconds, and the next few hours matter for both your health and any claim. Here’s what to do after a dog bite in Kentucky: how to care for the wound, when to see a doctor, how to report it, and what Kentucky law says about who pays.

Dog bite first aid

1. Get away from the dog and to a safe place.
2. Wash the wound gently with soap and running water for several minutes.
3. Apply pressure with a clean cloth to stop bleeding.
4. Cover it with a clean bandage.
5. Watch for signs of infection: redness, swelling, warmth, pus, red streaks or fever.

The CDC recommends seeing a healthcare provider promptly after an animal bite, since a decision about rabies treatment may be needed.

When to see a doctor

Go to urgent care or the ER for a deep puncture, a bite to the face, hands, feet or joints, heavy bleeding, signs of infection, a bite from an unknown or unvaccinated dog, or any bite to a child. Dog bites to the face often need a plastic surgeon. See scarring and disfigurement.

Report the bite and gather information

• Report the bite to local animal control. In Louisville, that’s Louisville Metro Animal Services; you can also call 911 if the dog is still loose.
• Get the owner’s name, address, phone number and homeowner’s or renter’s insurance information.
• Ask for the dog’s rabies vaccination record.
• Take photos of the wound over time, the location and the dog.
• Get names of witnesses.

Why do dogs bite?

Most bites come from a dog the victim knows. Common triggers include fear, protecting food, toys or puppies, pain or illness, being startled, and poor socialization or training. Breed is a poor predictor on its own; the dog’s history, how it’s kept and supervised, and the owner’s choices matter more. That’s one reason Kentucky law focuses on the owner, not the breed.

Kentucky dog bite law

Kentucky’s dog bite statute says any owner whose dog causes damage to a person is responsible for that damage (KRS 258.235(4)). Kentucky courts have treated this as strict liability, so you generally don’t have to prove the dog bit someone before. Liability can extend beyond the legal owner to someone who keeps or harbors the dog. Your own conduct, like provoking the dog, can reduce recovery under comparative fault. Our post on strict liability vs. the one-bite rule explains how this compares to other states.

Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. See our Louisville dog bite lawyer page.

Deadlines

Most Kentucky dog bite injury claims must be filed within one year (KRS 413.140(1)(a)). Claims for children can have different timing, but don’t wait. See our Kentucky statute of limitations guide.

What to do after a dog bite FAQs

What should I do right after a dog bite?

Get to safety, wash the wound with soap and water, control bleeding, cover it, and get medical care for any bite that breaks the skin. Then report it to animal control.

Do I need a rabies shot after a dog bite?

It depends on the dog’s vaccination status and whether it can be observed. A doctor or the health department makes that call, so get seen promptly.

Is a dog owner always liable for a bite in Kentucky?

Kentucky makes the owner responsible for damage the dog causes under KRS 258.235(4), even without a prior bite. Your own conduct, like provoking the dog, can reduce what you recover.

How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Kentucky?

Generally one year from the bite under KRS 413.140(1)(a).

This post is general information about Kentucky law as of July 2026, not legal advice.