Health Department - Animal Bites

Whenever a person is bitten by a dog or other animal, a report must be made to the Health Commissioner within 24 hours.  The animal inflicting the bite should be immediately examined by a qualified veterinarian and the results of such examination shall also be reported to the Health Commissioner within 24 hours.  At the direction of the Health Commissioner, the dog or other animal shall either be confined by its owner or be placed under supervision of a veterinarian at the owner's expense.  This period of isolation or observation shall not be less than 10 days from the date the person was bitten.  No person shall fail to comply with the requirements of this City Ordinance, nor fail to immediately report to the Health Commissioner any symptom or behavior suggestive of rabies.

Violation of the animal bite ordinance is a minor misdemeanor and offenders shall be subject to penalty.

If an animal is not available for the required ten (10) day isolation period, rabies post exposure vaccination will be recommended by the Health Department.

For more information regarding animal bites, or to report a bite, please contact the Ravenna City Health Department at 330-296-4478.