How Local Towns Handle Animal Bite Cases

​If a citizen or pet is bitten by an animal it must always be reported to the local government’s animal control management team. This includes bites from domestic animals like cats and dogs, as well as exposure to wildlife. Citizens should fill out a bite report with any information they have about the animal.  This report will be sent to the Health Department and forwarded to the Animal Control Division.  In cases where the owner of the animal is known, an Animal Control Officer will visit both the victim and pet owner and notify them of bite case procedures. Software can help expedite and track cases to show a full history of every action taken for internal documentation as well as court purposes. 

Does Animal Control Takes Pets Away after a Bite?

Animal Control Management will not take every pet that bites. If it is a stray dog or cat, Animal Control will confiscate them.  Otherwise, the pet will be left in the owner's home for a specified quarantine period.  An Animal Control Officer will discuss the bite report process with the pet owner.  However, if the citizen’s  dog or cat has a long and reported bite history, the citizen could face prosecution for harboring a vicious animal.​

Can Animal Control Divisions Make Citizens Pay for Bite?

​Animal Control Officers only have jurisdiction over the animals and are able to make sure the dog has a current rabies vaccination and dog license and that the dog is being quarantined at home for 10 days. Disputes over medical bills are between the citizen and the other offending party. Citizens are able to contact your attorney and file a civil suit. Comcate’s animal control management software streamlines the process of providing the report and necessary case documentation to go to court. 

If the dog is loose upon arrival of the Animal Control Officer and the owner is not home, it will be impounded at the shelter and the owner will be ticketed and required to pay the necessary impound fees and other potential fines.

Comcate’s Animal Control Software Designed for Local Government

Animal Bite Cases are very serious and it's important all parties involved are kept in a communication loop every step of the way. If you are handling these cases through manual processes, time to remediation can be painstakingly long.  Comcate software streamlines animal services administration. Cases move from documentation to investigations and inspection, and finally reporting in a streamlined manner. Whether you’re reuniting animals and owners, educating the public, or helping animals in need, Comcate's field-ready software lets you do more with the resources you have.

Animal Services staff need cloud-based software that works well in the field so they can connect animals with locations and owners faster. Comcate software supports officers into the field with software optimized for mobile devices including features like mobile inspections, photo uploads, case notes, and notices of violation.

Schedule a Meeting with Comcate Today!

Learn how Comcate can help make government delivery simple, and offer a modern digital experience to help you increase transparency, efficiency, and performance across your departments. If you have any questions about implementing our software, please schedule a meeting with our team, or  call us directly at (415) 632-1248.