Preventing Animal Bites

Animal bites and scratches can cause serious injuries and spread diseases such as rabies and bacterial infections. Most bites are preventable with safe behaviors around pets and wild animals. Learning how to prevent bites and knowing what to do if one occurs can help keep you and your family safe.

How to Prevent Animal Bites

Around Pets

  • Always ask permission before petting someone else’s pet.
  • Let animals see and sniff you before touching them.
  • Avoid hugging, startling, or cornering animals.
  • Never disturb animals while they are:
    • Eating
    • Sleeping
    • Caring for puppies or kittens
    • Playing with toys or treats
  • Supervise young children around pets at all times.
  • Teach children to be gentle and respectful with animals.

Around Dogs

  • Do not run, scream, or make sudden movements around unfamiliar dogs.
  • If an unfamiliar dog approaches:
    • Stay calm
    • Stand still like a “tree”
    • Avoid direct eye contact
  • Never reach through fences or car windows to pet a dog.

Around Wild Animals

  • Avoid contact with wild animals such as bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, and stray animals.
  • Never attempt to feed or rescue wild animals yourself. Call Animal Control for help.
  • Keep garbage secured to avoid attracting wildlife.
  • Report sick, injured, or unusually aggressive wild animals to your local law enforcement agency.

Protect Your Pets

  • Keep pets (dogs, cats, ferrets) current on rabies vaccinations.
  • Spay or neuter pets when appropriate.
  • Keep dogs leashed in public areas.
  • Do not allow pets to roam freely.

Teach Children Animal Safety

Children are more likely to be bitten because they may not recognize warning signs from animals. Teach children to:

  • Never approach unfamiliar animals
  • Avoid teasing or pulling tails and ears
  • Tell an adult right away if they are bitten or scratched
  • Stay away from injured or sick animals

What To Do If You Are Bitten or Scratched

1. Wash the Wound Immediately

Wash the bite or scratch thoroughly with a lot of soap and running water for at least 15 minutes. This is one of the most important steps to help prevent infection.

2. Control Bleeding

If the wound is bleeding, apply gentle pressure using a clean cloth or bandage.

3. Apply First Aid

  • Cover the wound with a clean, dry bandage.
  • Avoid using harsh chemicals or home remedies on the wound.

4. Seek Medical Attention

Contact a healthcare provider right away if:

  • The skin is broken
  • You notice signs of infection
  • You do not know if the animal has been vaccinated against rabies
  • The bite came from a wild or stray animal
  • A bat was involved, even if no bite is visible

A healthcare provider may recommend:

  • Antibiotics
  • A tetanus shot
  • Rabies prevention treatment

Signs of Infection

Watch for signs of infection after a bite or scratch, which includes:

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Warmth around the wound
  • Pus or drainage
  • Fever
  • Increasing pain

Seek medical care if these symptoms develop.

Report Animal Bites

Animal bites should be reported to your local law enforcement agency. Reporting helps:

  • Prevent the spread of rabies
  • Ensure proper follow-up
  • Protect the community

If possible, provide information about:

  • The type of animal
  • The location of the incident
  • Whether the animal is owned or stray
  • Vaccination information, if known

Your local health department may contact you to provide further education or information if necessary. 

Rabies Information

Rabies is a rare but serious disease that affects the brain and nervous system. It is almost always fatal once symptoms begin, but it can be prevented if treated quickly after exposure.

Any mammal can become infected with rabies.

Animals most commonly associated with rabies include:

  • Bats
  • Raccoons
  • Skunks
  • Foxes
  • Coyotes

If you may have been exposed to rabies, seek medical attention immediately.

What to Do if You Are Exposed to a Bat

Bats play an important role in Wisconsin’s ecosystem by helping control insect populations. However, bats can sometimes carry rabies. Because bat bites and scratches can be very small and difficult to notice, any direct contact with a bat should be taken seriously.

When a Bat Exposure May Have Occurred

You should consider possible exposure if:

  • A bat touched or landed on you
  • You were bitten or scratched by a bat
  • You woke up and found a bat in the room
  • A bat was found in a room with:
    • A sleeping person
    • A young child
    • Someone who is unable to reliably report contact
    • A person who is intoxicated or medically impaired
  • A pet had direct contact with a bat

What To Do Immediately

  1. Avoid Direct Contact
    • Never handle a bat with bare hands.
    • If the bat must be contained, wear thick gloves and use a container to safely trap it.
  2. Wash Any Bite or Scratch
    • Clean the area thoroughly with a lot of soap and running water for at least 15 minutes.
  3. Contact a Healthcare Provider
    • Rabies prevention treatment may be recommended depending on the exposure.
    • Treatment is most effective when started quickly after exposure.
  4. Contact Your Local Health Department
    • Your local health department can help assess the exposure and determine next steps.
  5. Do Not Release the Bat Right Away
    • If possible and safe to do so, safely contain the bat for rabies testing.
    • Testing the bat may help determine whether rabies treatment is needed.

Safely Capturing a Bat

Only attempt to capture a bat if there has been possible human or pet exposure, and it is safe to do so.

To safely contain a bat:

  • Wait for the bat to land.
  • Wear thick gloves.
  • Place a container, box, or coffee can over the bat.
  • Slide the cardboard underneath the container.
  • Tape the cardboard securely in place.
  • Contact local health officials for guidance.

Protecting Your Home from Bats

Bats commonly enter buildings through small openings. To help prevent bats from entering your home:

  • Seal gaps larger than 1/4 inch around roofs, vents, chimneys, and siding.
  • Install window screens and chimney caps.
  • Avoid handling sick or injured bats.
  • Contact wildlife professionals for bat removal if needed.

Need More Information?

For questions about animal bites or rabies prevention, contact Outagamie County Public Health or your healthcare provider.

 

 

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