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Dog Bite Instructions

1. If the bite is severe enough, seek medical attention immediately and call 368-7387 (PETS) to report the bite. (Medical professionals are required by law to report dog bites to the Department of Animal Care.)

2. If no medical attention is required, call 368-7387 (PETS) to report the bite. By law, animal bites must be investigated for everyone's protection. Bite investigation does not automatically mean the animal is impounded - it may only be that vaccination and licenses are verified.
   
   Note: The more information Animal Care receives about the bite, the better and quicker the investigation can be done. Information is needed about:
         - The bite- how severe, nature of the injury, if medical was sought and where, what
            the results of medical treatment were
         -  Address of where the bite occurred
         -  Victim's name and address
         -  Animal owner's name and address
         -  Complete description of the biting animal including size, color, breed, and gender
         -  If possible, try to get the rabies vaccination history of the animal immediately
         -  If possible, try to get the licensing information

3. Once the bite is reported to Animal Care and Regulation, the owner or the address of reported owner will be visited to verify that the dog has been vaccinated and the vaccination is current.

4. If vaccinations and licensing are current, the dog may be quarantined at the owner's home, depending on circumstances such as:

   • Appropriateness and availability of confinement area

   • Cooperation of the owner

   • Relationship to the owner (such as family member)

   • Severity of the bite

   • Address or location of the bite occurrence. Note: Even if the bite occurred on the owner's property, and the owner is related, the dog may be impounded if the situation warrants it, such as the owner may refuse to confine the animal. Every effort is made to work these details out to everyone's satisfaction and safety - but public safety must be a priority.

5. If the vaccinations are not current, the dog will most likely be impounded by Animal Care staff. Animal Care will quarantine the dog for 10 days from the date of the bite, as required by law.

6. If you have questions regarding vaccinations, exposure follow-up or the rabies virus contact the Department of Health and Human Services 24-hour hotline at 916-875-5881. You may also visit the Center for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov.
   
   Note: Because owner may not be reached immediately, it could be several days before Animal Care is able to obtain information on the status of the animal's vaccination history. Bite-victims should call the hotline or get medical advice from their doctor as soon as possible, especially if the dog is a stray since the dog may not be located to quarantine.

7. Owned dogs that bite are not euthanized unless the owner signs a euthanasia request or fails to pick animal up after quarantine. Owners are required to pay for the quarantine period which is $12 per day. Owners can pick up their dog after the quarantine period as long as the dog is not deemed vicious by the Animal Care Department. Dogs without known owners are euthanized once they are determined to be biters and if circumstances warrant it.

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