Dog bite - immediate measures

Picture: Grubärin / Fotolia

In the event of a dog bite, the following immediate measures are necessary from a veterinary point of view:

  • The persons involved should exchange addresses and inform the police if necessary.
  • The person bitten should consult a doctor immediately, who will determine the next steps.
    • The dog owner is obliged to do so,
      • to present the dog to a veterinarian with a note about the dog bite (Ordinance on Protection against Rabies of 11 April 2001; BGBl. I. p. 598)
      • to provide proof of a valid anti-rabies vaccination (if available) and
      • to provide the bitten dog with the rabies-free certificate issued by the vet.