What should I do if I or my child has been bitten by an animal?

If the animal belongs to you:

  1. Seek medical care if needed.
  2. Call the Animal Shelter and report when you were bitten and which animal bit you.
  3. By state law, the animal will need to be quarantined to observe for signs of rabies for ten days.

If the dog, cat or ferret belongs to someone else:

  1. Seek medical care if needed.
  2. If possible, get the owner's name, phone number, and address, as well as the animal's name and description.
  3. Call the Animal Shelter and report when you were bitten and (if known) the owner's and animal's information.

It is important to report bites as soon as possible. Instructions for reporting emergencies (including all bites) after hours are available on the shelter's voice mail.

Show All Answers

1. Where can I find information about the Borough leash law?
2. What should I do if my pet is missing?
3. What should I do if I find a lost pet?
4. I'm going on vacation and am leaving my pet(s) with a pet-sitter or family member. Is there anything I should know?
5. What should I do if I or my child has been bitten by an animal?
6. What should I do if my pet bites a person (myself, a family member, a friend, or a stranger)?
7. How do I borrow a Live Trap to catch a cat (or dog) on my property?
8. I am interested in adopting a pet from the Animal Shelter. What do I need to do?
9. Can I adopt a pet from the Animal Shelter if I do not live in Ketchikan?
10. Why am I required to wash my hands between each animal when petting them?
11. I had a notice left on my door. What do I do now?
12. When does my dog license expire?
13. Does my pet need a rabies vaccination?
14. What is the definition of "animal restraint" of dogs in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough?
15. Where are the leash your dog areas in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough?