Bitten by a Dog in Tampa?

Dog bites carry serious risks: deep tissue damage, broken bones, nerve damage, and infection. Dog mouths carry bacteria that can cause cellulitis, MRSA, and in rare cases, sepsis or rabies.

If the bite is severe — deep puncture wounds, heavy bleeding, bites to the face or neck — call 911 or go to the emergency room. Tampa General Hospital's Level I trauma center handles the most severe cases. For pediatric injuries, St. Joseph's Children's Hospital and Shriners Hospital for Children Tampa offer specialized treatment.

For less severe bites, wash the wound with soap and water, apply pressure, and see a doctor promptly. Even small puncture wounds can become infected within hours. Your doctor will evaluate whether you need antibiotics, a tetanus booster, or rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

Get the owner's name, phone number, address, and homeowner's or renter's insurance information. Most dog bite claims are paid through the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance.

Ask for proof of the dog's rabies vaccination. If the dog is a stray or the owner is unknown, contact Hillsborough County Animal Services at (813) 744-5660. Document the dog's breed, size, color, and distinguishing features. Collect witness contact information.

Report dog bites to Hillsborough County Animal Services. Under Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 823.07), any dog that bites must be quarantined for 10 days for rabies observation. Animal control manages the quarantine.

If the bite occurred in a public place, also report it to the Tampa Police Department or Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. A police report is valuable evidence.

Photograph: the wound immediately (before cleaning), the location, the dog if safe to do so, torn clothing, and your injuries over the following days and weeks as they heal. Keep records of all medical treatment, prescriptions, and follow-up visits. If the bite causes emotional distress — fear of dogs, anxiety, nightmares — document that as well.

Florida has one of the strongest dog bite laws in the country. Under Fla. Stat. § 767.04, dog owners are strictly liable for bite injuries — the owner is liable regardless of whether they knew the dog was dangerous or had ever bitten before. There is no "one-bite rule" in Florida.

Strict liability applies when the dog bit someone and the victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property (as a guest, customer, mail carrier, etc.).

Defenses the owner may raise include comparative negligence (if the victim provoked the dog or was negligent, recovery is reduced proportionally; if 51%+ at fault, you recover nothing under Fla. Stat. § 768.81(6)), the "Bad Dog" sign defense (Fla. Stat. § 767.04, where an owner who prominently displayed a "Bad Dog" sign may not be liable — unless the victim is under age 6 or the owner's negligence contributed to the bite), and trespass (trespassers generally cannot recover under strict liability).

The statute of limitations for dog bite claims in Florida is two years from the date of the bite (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a)). Miss it and you lose the right to file a lawsuit.

Dog bite victims can seek compensation for medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, reconstructive procedures, antibiotics, rabies treatment), lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress (anxiety, PTSD, fear of dogs), scarring and disfigurement, and future medical treatment including plastic surgery.

Bites to the face — especially in children — can require multiple reconstructive surgeries and cause lasting psychological effects. These cases often carry significant compensation.

Florida's strict liability statute makes dog bite cases relatively straightforward on liability, but insurers still fight to minimize payouts. An attorney can handle insurance communications, gather evidence, and negotiate a fair settlement. Most work on contingency — you pay nothing unless they win.