Animal Bites/Rabies
The Environmental Health Division investigates all reported domestic and wild mammal bites.
State and Local regulations require the quarantine of dogs, cats, and ferrets involved in human bites to prevent the spread of rabies.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects mammals and people. It is almost always fatal.
The rabies virus is found in the saliva of affected animals, most often raccoons, skunks and bats, and is spread by a bite or scratch. Bats, raccoons and skunks pose the greatest risk of rabies in Ohio. To protect your family against this still-deadly disease:
- Avoid contact with wild animals and animals you do not know.
- Vaccinate your pets against rabies and keep them current on their shots.
- If bitten, call your doctor. If your pet has contact with a wild animal, call your veterinarian. Rabies exposures should also be reported to your LHD.
All mammal bites must be reported to
the local health department.
Rabies Fact Sheet
Animal Bite Links
Rabies in Ohio 2010 Annual Summary
Forms
Mammal Bite Report - Printable Form that can be mailed or dropped off to the Health Department at:
Ashland County Health Department
1211 Claremont Ave
Ashland, OH 44805
Attention: Mammal Bite Department