Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) investigates animal bites in order to prevent the spread of rabies. Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the central nervous system. Any warm-blooded mammal, including humans, can get rabies; however, bats are the only animal in Washington state known to carry rabies.
The health district does not investigate animal bites for anything other than possible rabies exposure. Animal control agencies enforce dangerous and potentially-dangerous dog laws, as well as ensure compliance for pet licensing and rabies vaccination.
Please report the incident to the following agencies:
For more information about animal bites and the appropriate reporting agencies to contact, please see the Reporting an Animal Bite Fact Sheet.
If
you have questions about potential rabies exposure, the need for rabies
treatment, or whether the animal should be tested for rabies, please
contact SRHD at 509.324.1560 ext. 7.
Rabies vaccinations are required for dogs, cats and ferrets in Washington state. They’re one of the best ways to protect people and pets from rabies.
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