Animal Services

What happens when a dog or cat bites someone?

When the skin of a human is penetrated or broken by the teeth of a dog or cat, it is required by law to be reported due to the concern for possible exposure to the rabies virus.  Rabies is communicable to humans by the saliva from an infected animal.  Animals with current rabies vaccinations may be approved to be quarantined at home by an Animal Control Officer on a case by case basis.  Animals that are not current on their rabies vaccination must be quarantined at a veterinarian or at WCRAS.  That’s why it’s important to keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date based on the requirements in the rabies compendium published by the CDC.

For additional information click for the CDC website.