If an Animal Attacks

• If a wild animal attacks, a trained individual, such as an animal control officer, should sacrifice the animal for rabies testing.
• If a domestic animal attacks, any and all information about the animal should be gathered. Knowing the name of the owner, the animal’s licensing number and the rabies vaccination status is important for all involved.
• Clean the wound as soon as possible with soapy water.
• Immediately seek medical attention. Remember, once the rabies virus reaches the central nervous system in the human body (which may take a few to several days, depending on the location of the bite wound), vaccination will not prevent the rabies disease from developing.