Im a delivery person. I deliver packages to peoples homes in rural areas. Most of these people have dogs for security. I was bitten by a dog today as I was walking away from a man whom I had just handed his package. Its not a terrible dog bite but the skin was broken. I dont need stitches or anything but I want to know for sure the dog doesnt have rabies. I thought asking the person whether or not the dog had already had its rabies shots was a good thing to do but thats naive. They all say "uh-huh" with that glazed look in their eyes. When I asked the male owner of the dog whether or not the dog had been given its shots he didnt even bother to ask me why I was asking or apologize for the dogs behavior. Im sure he seen the dog bite me. Anyway, I can live with the dog bite. I just dont want to die of rabies in a week. Should I report this to police? Is there a way to demand the owner provide proof of these shots through legal methods?
2007-12-22 09:15:13 · 15 answers · asked by singlewhitemalekc70 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes, report the bite to Animal Control. By law Animal Control needs to obtain proof of an UTD Rabies Vaccine and they must share this information with you.
2007-12-22 09:18:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
In most states that I am familiar with in order for an owner to get his dog licensed he must provide proof that the animal received a rabies shot. You should be able to go to the cities' animal control and verify if the animal is licensed or not. If the dog is not licensed then I doubt it has had it's shots. If the owner doesn't have his dog licensed, he probably don't even consider getting shots.
In any case, the dog should be under quarantine for some amount of time till it's proven you are safe.
2007-12-22 09:27:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the dog has a rabies shot he should have papers stating so. If he is licensed most require the rabies shot to get one. The owner may have not noticed that the dog had bitten you. You have every right to ask for proof. The dog is probably fine since he was with his owner but take the precautions that you need to as he is living in the country.
2007-12-22 09:22:56 · answer #3 · answered by Laurie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to contact environmental control with your local Health department and report this to them.When you report this they will investigate the dog and the owners.They will also quarantine the dog for at least 1 week.My husband got bitten by a dog while looking for a location to install a satilight.The owners of the property knew the dog bites.Just report it and they will check the dog, and you need to make a appointment to get checked out your self.You will need a tetnis shot if the dog broke the skin.They will ask the owner to show all vet records and if demand that the dog get a rabies vaccine if he does not have one already.Just tell the people that you report this to that the man dident even care that the dog bit you.I hope this has helped you.I hope you have a Merry Christmas.
2007-12-22 09:55:36 · answer #4 · answered by shay_n_lewis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would report it to your supervisor where you work......they will or should in turn notify the owner at the address that you were bitten and demand proof of vaccination. You can also report it to the health department, the canine control person aka the dog pound office. They all should make a visit and demand to see the certificate of vaccination given by the veterinary hospital......a rabies tag is not sufficient proof of vaccination......I have seen people taking tags off of road kill.
You could get a lawyer and bring the owner and his dog into court, there are many options, not sure how you want to handle it though.
2007-12-22 09:46:28 · answer #5 · answered by lt4827 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact your local animal control and file a complaint. They should make the owner provide proof of vaccination or confiscate the dog. If the owner can't provide proof of vaccination, then at least in our area, unfortunately, the course of action is to euthanize the animal and send it's brain off for testing. And I'm not sure about your area, but where I live, proof is relatively easy to get, all they have to do is contact the vet that did the vaccination and they can provide proof as they keep record.
2007-12-22 09:52:41 · answer #6 · answered by twhrider 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Report the bite to animal control and the police. If the dog isn't vaccinated the owners need to be fined and the dog tested. Go to the doctor too!
2007-12-22 09:22:01 · answer #7 · answered by Mouth_of_da_South 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In some states when you call the sheriff, he comes out and shoots the dog then cuts off its head, puts the head in an evidence bag and sends it to a lab where it is tested. Rabies is not the only thing you need to be concerned about. Don't hesitate to call the sheriff or police. Once I was bitten by a dog in a rural area and killed and decapitated it myself. Gave the head to the sheriff and then sent a bill to the owners with the understanding that if it was not paid, I would press charges. They got an attorney and he told them to pay up.
2007-12-22 09:36:55 · answer #8 · answered by Neandrathal 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Even if the dog wasn't UTD on the shots, the chances are VERY VERY low that the dog had rabies.
You are more likely to get Rabies from a Raccoon, Skunk, or Bat.
However, if you are concerned and the owner will not provide proper documentation, you may want to consult a doctor, animal control, and the police.
2007-12-22 09:21:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes just like Vet Tech said report the bite to the animal control in the area and your supervisor then all will have a record. The person should have said something to you.
They can check to see if the dog is up to date with it's shots.
2007-12-22 09:20:52 · answer #10 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋