Dogfighting is a twisted spectacle, but all the negative emotions and medical risks are compounded once the blood flows.
Skin-breaking attacks have more consequences, both in terms of liability and behavioral work to be done for both the offender and the victim.
Last but not least, bleeding bite wounds present a higher risk of infection.
To avoid infection or other complications, it is recommended to seek veterinary attention. Vet bills to deal with these incidents can cost an arm and a leg.
We cover all the bases so you’re prepared when teeth fly and skin breaks, from breaking up the fight and treating wounds to the question as old as time.
Who is responsible?
There is a small warning if the two dogs involved are yours, you will find that information below.
Also, I included my own experience (or rather my Rottweiler’s experience) as a bite victim; although it is a very mild case.
My dog bit another dog and it drew blood.
In the event your dog bites another dog and draws blood, quickly separate the dogs, exchange insurance or contact information, and treat all injuries to both dogs. The owner of the injured dog can request reimbursement of the vet bills.
Stopping the fight, exchanging information, and treating injuries should be top priorities.
If you have any concerns about stopping a dogfight or the legalities (ie your rights, self defense, should you report it), please see my linked article.
Do not hesitate to treat a bleeding wound.
Even small puncture wounds may need to be cleaned, stitched, or require antibiotics, as they close quickly.
After all that jazz is over, you need to find out why the attack actually happened in order to start training and implement precautions to prevent future incidents.
Now comes the other scary part, what will happen to a dog that has drawn blood from another dog?
My advice in advance: If your dog attacked another dog and drew blood, consult a lawyer if you think the other owner will exploit the incident to get you in trouble with the authorities.
Hiring a lawyer to discuss vet bills is often not worth it, as there are few financial advantages; lawyers are expensive.
Vet bills range from $50, $500, $5,000, up to $50,000.
While vet bills between $500 and $5,000 may seem reasonable to you, others may think differently.
Again, each individual case is different. If you think there is something fishy regarding extraordinarily high veterinary bills, don’t hesitate to consult an attorney anyway.
However, defending your dog from legal repercussions (ie, your dog is deemed dangerous or even ordered to be euthanized) is priceless.
What happens if a dog draws blood from another dog?
After a dog has drawn blood from another dog, the first steps are to exchange information and seek veterinary attention. Once injuries are treated, the question of who pays for what will often arise.
Liability largely depends on the circumstances, who instigated the fight, and the severity of the injuries.
Other than the fact that each state has different laws regarding dog bites.
A bite that has caused bleeding is always serious and not just a fight between two dogs.
If your dog also has injuries, it’s often the dog owner’s etiquette for both parties to pay the vet bills, but that depends entirely on liability and financial situations.
Dog owners who feel their dog stood up for themselves properly may not agree to pay the other canine’s vet bills and seek compensation instead.
If your dog’s bite was the only action, it is often easier if the two of you come to a reasonable agreement that includes paying the vet bills.
But that is why information sharing is crucial.
Some dog owners may feel that fleeing the scene is a smart thing to do, but is it really?
I understand why, not all areas have a local law that looks favorably on dog bites.
Also, if your dog was defending himself or his property (assuming he was marked according to the law), hiring a lawyer to get rid of that “dangerous” stamp could be much more expensive than vet bills.
But keep in mind that it is always unfair to let the other party pay a bill caused by a stranger’s dog.
It is up to you to decide whether or not the claims are worth fighting (or filing some) and it is always best to consult a lawyer for serious allegations.
I’ll throw in my own experience below.
But what if you are actually the owner of both troublemakers?
My dog attacked my other dog and drew blood
If your dog attacked your other dog, end the fight as quickly as possible and visit a veterinarian for treatment of any bite wounds. After that, it is essential to identify the cause and work on the problem behavior.
It’s crucial to stop the fight quickly and seek veterinary attention, but keep in mind that you may need to arrange for someone to watch your other dog as well.
No matter which of your dogs caused it, both dogs may be suffering from behavioral issues that need to be addressed.
It’s also important to thoroughly check both dogs for bite wounds and take them to the vet if you have concerns about injuries, separately if necessary.
Once you notice that the bite has bled and/or left a noticeable puncture wound, veterinary care is the most important aspect.
Disciplining dogs after fighting can have an adverse effect if it is “punishment.”
But you can use a verbal correction, especially if it helps end the fight.
While it’s devastating to watch your own two dogs fight to the point of drawing blood, there is a silver lining to problems within your home.
No one will sue you, so you’ll avoid that terrible year-long legal battle.
The big downside, aside from the negative emotions, is that you’ll have to figure out how to get your dogs back together.
But once your dog is treated for the bite wound, what happens next?
Find out why your dog drew blood
It’s not like you can come home from the vet’s office and have a serious group therapy session with your furry friends.
While going back to the status quo and hoping for the best isn’t the solution, separation isn’t a long-term solution either.
You need to find out the root cause of the fight.
The introduction of a new dog (especially a puppy) often causes a rift in that household.
Does your puppy bully your older dog?
Maybe the older dog is attacking the puppy?
But dogs that have been living together in harmony can also start fighting, even if it’s seemingly unexpected (hint: it usually isn’t).
I have compiled 8 reasons why dogs fight in the same house.
I highly recommend checking out these resources to make sure dog fighting in your home never causes bleeding injuries again.
Dog attacks and blood: my own experience
Fortunately, my dog never fell victim to the nasty attacks you sometimes see on Reddit.
That’s not to say nothing has ever happened to Amalia, the resident Rottweiler who weighs nearly 100 pounds.
Although we are always very vigilant, keeping her on a leash with strange dogs and staying close by to intervene if necessary, we did have a situation where blood was drawn during a dedicated play session.
A young rescue dog didn’t understand limits and there was one of those loud but harmless crashes, or so we thought.
Unfortunately, Amalia’s ear had a puncture wound. Many dog owners are very eager to tell you about these types of accidents, suffice to say those flaccid flaps bleed like crazy.
While some owners talk nonchalantly, others are completely stumped once this happens.
A quick rundown of what to do.
The most important thing is to stay calm and level-headed and finish the fight quickly.
exchange informationeven if you can’t find an injury right now.
After that, you’ll need to find out everything about liability and vet bills.
Blood-Drawing Dog Attacks Can Cause Nasty Infections and treating them is crucial.
Additionally, dog owners whose dog was involved in a serious fight may have a long road of rehabilitation and counterconditioning ahead of them.
For the foreseeable future, a muzzle it might be necessary if your dog has hurt another dog, even defensively if you are unsure of the underlying behavior patterns.
In addition to talking to your vet, it’s best to consult a professional behaviorist.
Disclaimer: This blog post is not a substitute for veterinary care and is not intended to be. I am not a veterinarian or a pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any signs of illness, call your vet.
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