ANIMAL BITES AND ANIMAL ATTACKS
Animal Control has seen a increase in animal attacks and animal bites. The following information will help you, your pet, the victim and Animal Control when it comes to animal bites and attacks.
1) Make sure you have a current rabies vaccines and a city dog/cat license on your pets at all times. Pets that do not have a current rabies vaccines and has bitten a person, are required by the State of Michigan to be quarantined at the Animal Shelter for 10 days. There are impound fees for the 10 days quarantine. Upon the release of the 10 day quarantine, the pet owner must get the animal its rabies vaccine. Citations may also be issued.
Many pet owners do not regard the rabies virus as a threat and feel there is no need to get their pet up dated on the vaccine. The rabies vaccine is a State of Michigan requirement. This virus is not only deadly for animals but is 100% deadly in humans. The rabies virus is here and many animals test positive each year in our state. In 2019 a total of 58 known animals were tested positive for the rabies virus. These known animals had been in contact with other animals and/or humans. These animals are both domestic and wild. We must all continue the fight against this deadly virus by making sure other pets have their rabies vaccines.
2) Immediately contact your Police Department and/or Animal Control to report the incident. The State of Michigan requires all animal on person bites to be reported. All other animal on animal attacks should also be report to Animal Control.
Animal Control has seen a increase in animal attacks and animal bites that never got reported. Many victims don't want to get neighbors in trouble or see a animal taken away by Animal Control. Several of these unreported incidents end up in the attacking animal severely injuring another person or animal. Once this happens, the public now wants that animal removed since its not the first attack. IF THE ATTACK WAS NOT PROPERLY REPORT, IT DID NOT HAPPEN . Please don't wait to report an incident.
3) Contact your physician if you have been bitten and/or your pet's veterinarian if your pet was attacked. If you have been bitten by an animal, seeking medical advice should be considered. If your pet has been attacked by another animal, having that pet checked out by your veterinarian is also advised.
All animal bites from small red dots to severe damage, should be taken seriously. The rabies virus is transmitted thru the animal saliva into the open skin of a bite. Victims should speak with their medical physician and/or their pet's veterinarian about the risk of rabies and infections. Another serious concern is the high possibility of infection from the animal bite. A animal's mouth can contain bacteria that can end up inside a bite. Cats are the worse type of bites for passing on bacteria. All bites should thoroughly be wash and disinfected. If you see any signs of infection around a bite, contact your physician Immediately. DON'T wait, even the smallest puncture can cause a severe infection.
4) Document! Take pictures of any injuries. Keep all receipts and medical records that is related to the bite or attack. Take a moment while it is still fresh to write down the incident. Animal Control and/or the Police will ask for all these items.