Animal Bites

Medical Information for Victims & Pet Owners

Questions regarding medical treatment and advice should be directed to your family physician. Concerns regarding tetanus toxoid and / or rabies prophylaxis may be addressed by your physician or the local health officer. If your pet has been injured by another animal, contact your veterinarian for appropriate treatment.

Instructions for a Home Quarantine

Location of quarantine is at the discretion of the quarantining agency.

• The facility used for confinement shall ensure an escape-proof environment subject to unannounced periodic spot checks by the animal control officer. The animal shall be confined inside a structure, not on a chain or in a fenced yard.
• The animal shall not leave the quarantine premises for any reason. The animal shall not have contact with humans or other animals for the 10-day period, with the exception of the primary caretaker. (The 10-day observation period applies only to dogs and cats.)
• At the first sign of illness in the animal, the owner shall notify the quarantining agency. Symptoms to watch for include fever, loss of appetite, excessive irritability, unusual vocalization, change in behavior, restlessness, jumping at noises, trouble walking, excessive salivation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, stupors or unprovoked aggression.
• At the end of the 10-day quarantine period, the owner is responsible for contacting the quarantining agency to report the health status of the animal.
• If these guidelines cannot be met or are violated at any time during the quarantine, the animal will be seized and the 10-day quarantine will be completed at the Jefferson County Animal Shelter shelter or a facility designated by the local health officer.
• In case of death of a quarantined animal, contact the Local Animal Control Officer or Local Health Officer (DO NOT DISPOSE OF ANIMAL)

Not Vaccinated
When a pet has been exposed to rabies and it is not vaccinated, euthanasia is recommended. Alternatively, the owner has the option of arranging for a six-month quarantine at the owner's expense. This is due to the special public health risks associated with these animals (i.e., those potentially incubating rabies) and the need to prevent human and other animal exposures from occurring should rabies symptoms develop.