Animal Bites
Animal bites, especially those from wild animals are not to be taken lightly. Any wild animal that bites a child could possibly have rabies. Some are more likely to have rabies than others. If possible, the animal should be killed without injuring the head and taken to the Animal Control Office for analysis. If you cannot find or catch the animal it is important to remember what it looked like and what kind of animal it was. Report it to the Animal Control Office.
All animal bites (dogs, cats, friendly or unfriendly) should be reported to our office and the Animal Control Office. The telephone number for Animal Control can be found in the phone book along with the numbers for your county government. The need for rabies vaccination is determined on a case by case basis. The owners of the animal should be contacted to determine whether the animal has had its rabies shots. The animal needs to be observed by the police and/or by the Animal Control Office for at least two weeks for signs of rabies.
Infection is the primary concern with any animal bite or puncture wound. Please call our office immediately to schedule an appointment if your child is bitten. If the injury is deep or bleeding heavily, you will need to take your child directly to the nearest Emergency Room.
