Washington County's Animal Bite Policy
(Adopted by the Washington Co. Board of Health 4-3-2001)
- The Washington County Health Department as required by section 3701-3-28 of the OAC must investigate ALL animal bites.
- An animal bite report must be filed within 24 hours of the bite, with the Washington County Health Department.
- The employee, appointed by the Health Commissioner, stamps the report with the date and the time received.
- The employee then takes the bite report and contacts the owner of the animal.
- The report is verified with the owner and any missing information is obtained.
- The employee explains the Washington County quarantine procedure to the owner of the animal.
- The veterinarian is contacted to verify the status of the animal's rabies vaccine.
- The employee notifies the person bitten of the vaccine status and of the quarantine procedure.
- Any animal with a current vaccine is quarantined for 10 days.
- ALL animals with an expired vaccine are to be examined and vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian prior to release from quarantine. ALL vaccines must be made current before the animal can be released from quarantine.
- The owner is required to send the verification of examination form to the Washington County Health Department.
- The county employee completes, signs, dates and files the animal bite report.