Animal Bite Exposure and the Law

Report An Animal Bite

Ohio Law (OAC 3701-3-28) requires all dog, cat, or mammal bites be reported to the health district in which the bite occurred. The report shall be made by the person bitten, a health care provider, or a veterinarian with knowledge of the bite. To see rabies-specific laws and rules, visit Ohio Department of Health – Laws & Rules, Zoonotic Disease Program.

Treating an Animal Bite

Rabies

Actions of the Health District

Lake County General Health District is required to quarantine all dogs, cats, or mammals that bite people. The quarantine is for 10 days and is typically done at the animal owner’s home. The purpose of the quarantine is to ensure that the biting animal does not have rabies. If the biting animal has rabies, the symptoms of rabies will be seen within 10 days following the bite.

Reporting an Animal Bite

To report incidents using this web site, the bite/scratch/exposure must have occurred in Lake County, Ohio. To obtain contact information to report incidents that occurred in Ohio but NOT in Lake County, go to Ohio Department of Health – Find My Local Health Department and search using the address where the bite/scratch/exposure took place. Please provide the information requested below by using the tab key to move between fields. After receiving the information, a staff sanitarian will contact the animal owner and person bitten/scratched/exposed to assess the risk of rabies exposure and provide compliance information.

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