Trending Links
Trending Links
Animal Bites & Rabies
Licensing and permit payments are processed with the Department of Customer Service, located in the Clerk’s Office, Racine City Hall Room 103.
Environmental Health Division office hours: Tuesday, 8 – 10am; Wednesday, 2 – 4pm; or by appointment call 262-636-9203.
Animal Bites and Rabies Control
While animal bites alone are rarely life-threatening, they can easily become infected and cause serious medical problems. The mouths of dogs and cats, as well as other animals, can be filled with over 100 different types of bacteria and other disease-causing agents that can enter the wound. One such disease-causing agent is the rabies virus. In Wisconsin, rabies is most often carried by bats, raccoons, and skunks.
Symptoms of rabies in your pet include a loss of appetite, erratic behavior, unusual episodes of aggression, dilated pupils, and constant growling/aggressive noises.
If your dog or cat bites someone
Steps for the animal’s owner:
- If medical treatment is necessary, call 911 to report the incident. Otherwise, call the City of Racine Police Department non-emergency number at 262-886-2300.
- A police officer or Community Service Officer (CSO) will respond and provide you an animal bite report form. Bring the animal to a veterinarian within 24 hours, or the next business day, for an examination.
- After the initial examination by a veterinarian, immediately return to the City of Racine Public Health Department – Environmental Health Division with the signed animal bite report form. 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 your dog or cat:
- Is not currently vaccinated against rabies, you must have the animal quarantined at a veterinarian’s office for a period of at least 10 days after the bite. Before release from quarantine, the animal must be vaccinated against rabies.
- Is currently vaccinated against rabies, you may quarantine your animal at home for a period of at least 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 indicating that your animal was examined on the 10th day following the bite. The signed form must be returned to the City of Racine Public Health Department – Environmental Health Division no more than 24 hours after the animal is released from quarantine.
If you do not return the signed form to the City of Racine Public Health Department – Environmental Health Division 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.
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 that 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 requirements, 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.
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:
If you have questions or would like more information
