City of Racine
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Animal Bites & Rabies
Why Proper Animal Bite Follow-Up is Important
While animal bites alone are rarely life-threatening, they can easily become infected and cause serious medical problems. The mouths of dogs, cats, and other animals can be filled with over many different types of bacteria and other things that cause diseases. One of these things is the rabies virus.
In Wisconsin, rabies is most often carried by bats, raccoons, and skunks, though animals like dogs and cats can be infected as well. That’s why it’s so important that domestic animals are vaccinated against rabies, protecting both their health and your own. Symptoms of rabies in your pet include a loss of appetite, a sudden change in behavior, unusual aggression, dilated pupils (the black part of the eye), and constant growling or aggressive noises.
If Your Pet Bites Someone
By law, all animal bites must be reported to law enforcement so the needed follow-up can take place.
Steps for the animal’s owner:
- If medical treatment is necessary, call 911 to report the incident and request EMS. Otherwise, call the City of Racine Police Department non-emergency number at 262-886-2300 and inform them of the bite.
- A Police Officer or Community Service Officer (CSO) will respond, ask questions about the incident, and provide you an Animal Bite Report form.
- The animal must be taken to a Veterinarian within 24 hours, or the next business day, for an examination to verify the presence or absence of rabies symptoms. The Veterinarian will sign the Animal Bite Report form to certify that they examined the animal.
- After the initial examination, immediately return the Animal Bite Report form to Environmental Health DivisionThe act or process of dividing; state of being divided. at PublicHealth@cityofracine.org or 262-636-9165 (fax).
- If you fail to have your animal examined by a Veterinarian or fail to return the signed form, your animal may be seized and impounded at your
expense.
- If you fail to have your animal examined by a Veterinarian or fail to return the signed form, your animal may be seized and impounded at your
- Quarantine:
- If the animal is not currently vaccinated against rabies, you must have the animal quarantined at a Veterinarian’s office for a period of 10 days after the bite. Before release from quarantine, the animal must be vaccinated against rabies.
- If the animal is currently vaccinated against rabies, you may quarantine your animal at your home for a period of 10 days after the bite. On the 10th day following the bite, you must return your animal to the veterinarian for a second examination.
- In all cases, a veterinarian must sign the Animal Bite Report form to certify that your animal was examined on the 10th day for signs of rabies. The signed form must be returned to the Environmental Health DivisionThe act or process of dividing; state of being divided. no more than 24 hours after the animal is released from quarantine.
- If you do not return the signed form to the Environmental Health DivisionThe act or process of dividing; state of being divided. after the initial and final examinations you may be fined up to $1,000 a day and your animal may be seized and impounded.
- If your dog or cat is not licensed, you must purchase a license at this time.
More Information for Animal Bites
Quarantining Your Pet
The ten-day quarantine period ensures that the dog or cat remains available so that it can be observed for signs of rabies. It is important that the dog or cat under quarantine be strictly confined at all times to ensure it cannot run away or be injured. If your animal displays signs of illness or a change in behavior, it is critical that you notify your veterinarian immediately. If the animal remains free of symptoms during the 10 days, this indicates it did not have the rabies virus in its saliva at the time of the bite. Therefore, the bite victim does not have to receive an expensive and unpleasant series of shots to prevent rabies. If unvaccinated, your dog or cat must be vaccinated against rabies before the animal may be released from quarantine.
The owner of the animal is responsible for all expenses incurred in connection with the quarantine. Failure to comply with the quarantine requirementsA thing that is needed or wanted., according to Chapter 10, Article III – Rabies Control of the City of Racine Municipal Code, is a threat to the health and safety of the public and punishable by a citation in the amount of $1,000 per day.
Quarantining Facilities
If your pet is not currently vaccinated, the quarantine period following a bite must take place at a veterinarian’s office.
Area facilities include:
Animal Rabies Information
Further information about Rabies is available through these links and resources from other public health websites such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), WI Department of Health Services (DHS) and WI Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Rabies Disease Basics Information
WI Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Rabies Disease Basics Information
WI Department of Health Services (DHS)
Rabies
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Rabies Specimen Collection
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Animal Complaints
If you need to submit a complaint about animals within the City of Racine, such as unlicensed animals, prohibited animals, animals running at large, or other similar concerns, use the Animal Complaint Form linked below. This information will be sent to the Public Health Department for follow up by a Sanitarian and/or Community Service Officer, as appropriate.
Injured, Sick, or Deceased Wildlife
Wild animals can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans and pets. They are also capable of inflicting injury on themselves or others as they fight to defend themselves against a perceived threat (humans or pets). They have very specific dietary and housing requirementsA thing that is needed or wanted. that are not easily met in captivity. Under state law, no person shall rehabilitate any wild animal except as authorized under a rehabilitation license.
In urban and suburban areas, some “abnormal” behaviors are a product of the environment and not a cause for concern. For instance, typically nocturnal animals may be present during the day when opportunistically looking for food (e.g. unsecured garbage cans or compost) or if disturbed by human activity. If the animal looks healthy, fat, and is not exhibiting any unusual behaviors, give it space and go on your way. Wild animals that are observed dying or sick are to be left alone to pass naturally. Deceased animals, if they must be moved, should be safely handled using tools (e.g. shovel) and gloves then placed into a garbage bag and deposited into a solid waste container.
Odd behaviors may include abnormal aggression, excessive drooling, snapping at the air, issues swallowing, or jerky movements. Never approach a wild animal, especially one you believe may be sick.
If someone or a pet may have been exposed to a potentially rabid animal, contact the City of Racine Public Health Department Environmental Health DivisionThe act or process of dividing; state of being divided. (262-636-9201) or the Police Department using the non-emergency line (262-886-2300). Potentially rabid wild animals need to be humanely euthanized and tested for rabies when feasible. Destruction of the brain, damage to the skull, and/or excessive deterioration of the animal due to environmental conditions (e.g. hot weather) may prevent testing. If you find a bat, living or deceased, within your residence contact City of Racine Public Health Department Environmental Health DivisionThe act or process of dividing; state of being divided. (262-636-9201).
Direct questions or concerns regarding wildlife health including nuisanceA person, thing, or circumstance causing inconvenience or annoyance. behaviors and feeding may be directed to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR) using the contact information and tools below to report. Animals, domestic or wild, killed on the roadway report to the City of Racine Department of Customer Service (262-636-9171).
WI DNR Wildlife Switchboard
Email: DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov
Phone: 608-267-0866
If you have questions or would like more information
PublicHealth@cityofracine.org
262-636-9201
