I got nipped by a small dog?

Question

should i call the cops so they can go check for rabies on that dog...i dont want to do this...the owner doesnt come out and i checked the dog out I dont think it has rabies ..its just a little agressive...should i go get a rabie shot????

he was behind a fence and i was walking my dog and i tried to let him smell me and he stuck his head out and bit me...no blood came out ...the owner did see but i didnt really think about it till today ....i just left it alone..im worried that i has something but i doubt it ..i have a doctors appt. on the 18 i guess ill ask her if i need the shot just to be safe.

Answer 1

Rabies shots are VERY expensive. You shouln't worry about it, if there was no open wound.

Ask the owner for proof of rabies (to see if the dog had his shots) and if he refuses to help you, you can call animal control and let them know what happened. They will come to check if the owners has proof and if he doesn't they will send the dog somewhere and kill it to see if it has rabies.

Answer 2

If the dog bit you and broke the skin, you need to call the police. You can't tell if a dog has rabies by looking at it. With any luck, the owner with have a proof of rabies vaccination and there is nothing to worry about. If not, they will take the dog and find out if it has rabies. While the chances are slim, you do not want to be infected and not know about it. There are medications they can give you if you catch it in enough time.

You don't say how you came into contact with the dog- were you reaching through the fence or was it out loose in the yard. Obviously it wasn't on a leash if the owner wasn't outside. If he lets a biting dog wander around loose, he needs a visit from animal control. If it bit you this time, it could be a small child next time.

Answer 3

ask the owner if the dog has had its rabies shot. ask for a certificate from the vet for proof. i know you don't want to cause the owner trouble, but the bite needs to be reported to animal control. if the dog doesn't have an updated rabies vaccine, it needs to be quarantined. i agree with the other person about the next time it could be a child. im sure if this was a bigger breed someone would probably report it, so make sure it is done with a small breed too

add: doctors are supposed to report all dog bites, so ask if they will do it. that way your name isn't the one reporting it. i would still ask about the dogs rabies shot. if the dog has had one that will save you from getting about 9 to 14 long needle shots in your stomach. definitely worth asking

Answer 4

This is why you don't stick your hands in strange fences. Doubly so when you have another dog with you. This dog was being a dog, not aggressive. He was in his yard! The chances of it having anything you could catch is so low, and if it didn't break the skin so low it is nill you caught anything. However, the hassle you could cause for the owners having their dog quarantined or put down because of your bonehead move is nothing to the nip you got. Doctors may report it out of duty, and a strangers dog could be seized for observation. Keep your hand away from strange pets, especially when in their own yard. As a dog owner you should have had more sense.

I want to add though, if my dog was biting people through my fence I would want to know. So tell the owner in a polite way and admit it was dumb on your part what happened. If my dog was doing that I would want to know so I could keep a worse bit from happening and loosing him to animal control

Answer 5

if the dog is aggressive and can reach people on the street then yes something needs done, there would be no hesitation to report it if it were say...a pit bull breed....thats why the bigger breeds have a worse rep then small ones, sure its a small dog and it didn't REALLY hurt you but say that had been a toddler walking along by mommy's side and lost a finger.......
its a dog, its aggressive, it should be handled accordingly, i would talk to the owner first, they may not be aware that the dog can reach out of his fence to bite and they may fix it right then and there.if they don't or if they act like its just no big deal or they don't care THEN go higher up so next time its not some kids hand.

Answer 6

If you are really worried then go see a doctor. you might want to call or contact the person whose dog it is first and see if the dog has had it's shots because it can lead to a whole range of problems when the county gets involved.
So often these reactionaries run around yelling "call the police, it must be destroyed"
If you aren't hurt and the dog as it's shots then forget it. I cannot count how many dogs have bitten me, my own included. and yes they all had their shots.
Talk to the dogs owner...
Tom

Answer 7

its a little dog..their ankle bitters..i would just nicely tell the owner what happened if they weren't there to see it..say that your not going to call the cops, but some people won't be as nice..just cuz its a small dog that shouldn't let him off the hook..heck you can suggest to her that he get training classes or if he is going to be out around people he might need a muzzle. i doubt he has rabies..but you can call the humane society or animal sevices and ask them for advice as well..they could make a friendly house call to warn the lady..

Answer 8

Chances are the dog is clean :) ASK the owner for proof of vaccinations.
If you "report" this, the dog may be in deep crap.
Ask yourself if it's worth it.

Answer 9

Go to the Dr.

Answer 10

read.
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/firstaid/bites/203.html