TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. — The Tompkins County Health Department is trying to locate a dog that bit a person Wednesday morning on West Green Street.
The bite occurred at about 6:50 a.m. Wednesday between Fayette and Cayuga Street on West Green Street in Ithaca. The dog is described as medium sized with a light brown, wavy coat. It was accompanied by a smaller, black and brown short-haired dog. The person said a woman was walking the dogs at the time of the bite.
The health department wants to locate the dog to verify its vaccination status and observe the health of the biting dog over at 10-day period. The health department says “If the dog can be located and observed to be healthy by the Department, the risk of rabies infection can be ruled out and rabies post-exposure treatment for the person who was bitten will not be necessary.”
Anyone with information regarding this dog is urged to call the Tompkins County Environmental Health Division at (607) 274-6688.
Additionally, the health department sent out some health and safety reminders regarding animals:
- Avoid contact with any unfamiliar cats or dogs and any wild animals.
- All cats, dogs and ferrets must have initial rabies vaccinations administered no later than four months of age. Keep vaccinations current!
- Report the following incidents to the Tompkins County Health Department at 274-6688:
- All animal bites or scratches.
- Any human or pet contact with saliva or other potentially infectious material (brain tissue, spinal tissue, or cerebro-spinal fluid) of wild animals or any animal suspected of having rabies.
- All bat bites, scratches, or any mere skin contact with a bat, or a bat in a room with a child, or sleeping or impaired person. Watch this video to learn how to safely capture a bat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YhnV5WJQBA.
- If bit by a dog or cat while in the presence of the pet’s owner, exchange contact information.