My dog or cat just bit a person: what happens next?

My dog or cat just bit a person: what happens next?

At Cincinnati Animal CARE and the Hamilton County Dog Wardens, we know how frightening and confusing it can be when your pet has bit a person. Whether the bite was accidental, defensive, or unexpected, you’re likely wondering what to do next and how it may affect your animal. As Hamilton County’s open-intake animal shelter and the county’s designated animal control authority, our goal is to guide pet owners through the process with compassion, transparency, and accurate information that keeps both pets and people safe. Here’s what happens after a dog or cat bite is reported in Hamilton County, and what steps you’ll need to take to remain in compliance with local and state law.

What to Expect:

After the Hamilton County Dog Warden and/or the Health Department is notified that your pet has bitten a person, they will respond in person or, occasionally, an initial phone call to gather more information about the circumstances of the bite, the victim, and the “suspect” dog/cat. You may also receive a letter from the Health Department.

Your dog/cat will then be placed under quarantine for no less than ten (10) days by Order of the Health Commissioner. Quarantine is to remain in effect until the animal is released by the Health Department, after confirming that it has a current rabies vaccination as required by the Ohio Administrative Code 3701-3-29.

A quarantine order may be required to be fulfilled at the Hamilton County Shelter/Cincinnati Animal Care, the responding Deputy Dog Warden will explain those requirements and process after they have assessed the incident.

Many quarantines may be completed in the animal owner’s home.

Here are instructions on the required care of your animal during the quarantine period after they have bit a person:

1. Under no circumstances remove the animal from its present address first without
2. obtaining permission from the Health Department.
3. Keep your animal confined to your home, leash animals if taken for a walk.
4. Minimize any potential exposure to people who live outside of your home.
5. If you observe any change in normal health of your animal, you must take it to a
6. veterinarian, and then notify the Health Department at once.
7. You are to contact the local health department with evidence that the animal has been inoculated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian, if the bite has been reported to the Hamilton County Dog Warden you may also contact our office at 513-541-7387
8. If animal does not have an up-to-date rabies vaccination, it shall NOT be inoculated for rabies until after the 10-day quarantine period is over.

If you have any questions regarding the quarantine of your animal please contact:

• The Cincinnati Health Department Technical Environmental Services at 513-352-2922
• or the Hamilton County Health Department at: ​​513-946-7800.

Keeping Our Community Safe and Informed

When a pet has bit a person, it doesn’t automatically mean your dog or cat is dangerous or will be removed from your care. In most cases, these situations are resolved safely once quarantine procedures are followed and health requirements are met. At Cincinnati Animal CARE and the Hamilton County Dog Wardens, our shared mission is to ensure public safety while protecting the well-being of the animals who call Hamilton County home.

We encourage every pet owner to maintain current vaccinations, practice responsible supervision, and reach out if you have concerns about your pet’s behavior or environment. Together, we can prevent future incidents, support responsible pet ownership, and continue making Hamilton County a safer, more compassionate community for both people and pets.

If you need to file a bite report, please click here to find out which form you should file depending on where you live.