What if You Are Unsure Who Owns the Dog That Bit You?

 Posted on March 13, 2025 in Dog Bite Injuries

Often, victims of dog bites know who the dog's owner is. Either the dog escaped from the owner’s fence and bit someone close to his or her home, or the owner has the dog at a park, in a store, or walking down the sidewalk with the dog. When a person is bitten by a dog with the owner nearby, the owner usually admits he or she owns the dog, information is exchanged, and the owner is held liable for the injuries to the person his or her dog bit.

Occasionally, a person is bitten by a dog and has no idea who the dog belongs to. This can be a very challenging situation. Of course, the victim should seek medical attention, but if he or she is able (and the dog is not still aggressive), taking a photo of the dog can be extremely helpful. If you or a loved one are the victim of injuries from a dog bite or attack, it is time to speak to an experienced Kane County, IL dog bite attorney.  

What Should You Do if Bitten by a Dog with No Known Owner?

If your dog bite or attack occurred in a public area, it is likely the dog that bit you belongs to someone. You can often tell whether the dog has an owner by whether it is wearing a collar and whether it appears to be well-fed and taken care of. After obtaining medical attention, your next step is to report the incident to the local police or sheriff’s office.

If you were able to snap a photo, make sure law enforcement has it. They may be able to speak to veterinarians in the area to see if anyone can identify the dog's owner. Some people will go back to where the dog bite or attack occurred to see if the dog comes back or if the owner returns with the dog.  

Are Rabies Shots Required if the Owner Cannot Be Located?

It is important that you tell your medical provider that the dog and its owner have not been located and ask about whether you need to undergo rabies shots. Most doctors will recommend treatment if there is even the slightest chance you have been exposed to rabies through the dog bite.

There is no effective treatment for rabies once a person has been diagnosed with the disease. If you know the dog has rabies or have reason to suspect it might, you will receive a series of shots, including a rabies immune globulin, which is a quick-acting shot, given near where the animal bit you to prevent the rabies virus from infecting you.

You will then receive a series of rabies vaccinations in your arm to help your body identify and fight the rabies virus. If the dog is caught, it will be observed for 10 days to see whether it remains healthy. If so, you will not need rabies shots.

If the dog’s owner is located, then he or she can verify whether the dog is up to date on its rabies shots. If neither the dog nor its owner can be located, your doctor will determine whether there are any known rabies cases in the area. Sometimes, it is safest to assume that the animal has rabies and move forward with rabies shots.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Dog Bite Lawyer

If the police cannot locate the owner of the dog or the dog itself, your own medical insurance may be your best bet for paying your medical bills. A Naperville, IL dog bite attorney from Dog Bite Injury Lawyer - Mevorah Law Offices LLC can help you determine the best course of action.

Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, so we do not collect any payment from you unless we win your case. We are a large law firm with more than 175 years of collective experience and will fight aggressively on your behalf. Call 630-552-6860 to schedule your free consultation.