Tompkins County Health Department

ITHACA, N.Y. — The Tompkins County Health Department is seeking information about a dog that reportedly bit someone at the Ithaca Dog Park to rule out rabies.

A person was bitten on the hand around 1 p.m. Saturday at the dog park, located off Taughannock Boulevard in Ithaca, the health department said. The dog is described as a tan pitbull. After being bit, the person spoke with the dog’s owner, but did not obtain contact information.

The owner of the pitbull is described as a white man, about 5 feet 11 inches tall. He was wearing a t-shirt and cargo shorts.

The health department wants to verify the dog’s vaccination status, as well as the health of the dog through a 10-day observation period. If the dog can be located and observed, rabies can be ruled out and the person who was bit can be spared post-exposure treatment.

Anyone with information regarding this dog is urged to call the Tompkins County Environmental Health Division at (607) 274-6688.

Kelsey O'Connor is the managing editor for the Ithaca Voice. Questions? Story tips? Contact her at koconnor@ithacavoice.com and follow her on Twitter @bykelseyoconnor.