Public Health

While animal bites alone are rarely life-threatening, they can easily become infected and cause serious medical problems. The mouths of dogs, cats, and other animals can be filled with over many different types of bacteria and other things that cause diseases. One of these things is the rabies virus.

In Wisconsin, rabies is most often carried by bats, raccoons, and skunks, though animals like dogs and cats can be infected as well. That’s why it’s so important that domestic animals are vaccinated against rabies, protecting both their health and your own. Symptoms of rabies in your pet include a loss of appetite, a sudden change in behavior, unusual aggression, dilated pupils (the black part of the eye), and constant growling or aggressive noises.

By law, all animal bites must be reported to law enforcement so the needed follow-up can take place.

Steps for the animal’s owner:

1. If medical treatment is necessary, call 911 to report the incident and request EMS. Otherwise, call the City of Racine Police Department non-emergency number at 262-886-2300 and inform them of the bite.
2. A Police Officer or Community Service Officer (CSO) will respond, ask questions about the incident, and provide you an Animal Bite Report form.
3. Theanimal must be taken to a Veterinarian within 24 hours, or the next business day, for an examination  to verify the presence or absence of rabies symptoms. The Veterinarian will sign the Animal Bite Report form to certify that they examined the animal.
4. After the initial examination, immediately return the Animal Bite Report form to Environmental Health Division at publichealth@cityofracine.org or 262-636-9165 (fax).
   • If you fail to have your animal examined by a Veterinarian or fail to return the signed form, your animal may be seized and impounded at your
     expense.
5. Quarantine:
   • If the animal is not currently vaccinated against rabies, you must have the animal quarantined at a Veterinarian’s office for a period of 10 days after the bite. Before release from quarantine, the animal must be vaccinated against rabies.
   • If the animal is currently vaccinated against rabies, you may quarantine your animal at your home for a period of 10 days after the bite. On the 10th day following the bite, you must return your animal to the veterinarian for a second examination.
6. In all cases, a veterinarian must sign the Animal Bite Report form to certify that your animal was examined on the 10th day for signs of rabies. The signed form must be returned to the Environmental Health Division no more than 24 hours after the animal is released from quarantine.
   • If you do not return the signed form to the Environmental Health Division after the initial and final examinations you may be fined up to $1,000 a day and your animal may be seized and impounded.
7. If your dog or cat is not licensed, you must purchase a license at this time.

If you need to submit a complaint about animals within the City of Racine, such as unlicensed animals, prohibited animals, animals running at large, or other similar concerns, use the Animal Complaint Form linked below. This information will be sent to the Public Health Department for follow up by a Sanitarian and/or Community Service Officer, as appropriate.