Why animal bites should be reported?
Animals can carry rabies, a dangerous infection. Reporting animal bites is an important step in preventing the spread of rabies.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a viral infection of the central nervous system that affects mammals, including humans and pets. Rabies causes fatal swelling of the brain and spinal cord.
What you should do if an animal bite occurs?
- Seek medical attention, even if you know the owner of the animal or it is your own pet.
- Call your local police department to report the bite.
What will happen to the animal that was responsible for the bite?
- If the animal is domesticated:
- Must quarantine for 10 days.
- Three vet checks are required by law within 10 days from the time of bite.
- If the animal is wild (a bat, skunk, fox, racoon, etc.)
- Call our office at 715-726-7900 for further instruction.
Do NOT destroy or release an animal that has bitten a person, whether it's wild or domesticated.