Animal Bites

Non-Domestic Animal Bite Reporting

The Massachusetts Department of Animal Health, Division of Epidemiology makes all decisions regarding humans that have been potentially exposed to rabies through an animal scratch or bite. Any non-domestic animal biting or scratching a human must reported to DPH Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.

Domestic Animal Bite Reporting

State Rabies Law requires all mammal bites be reported to the local ACO/Animal Inspector for follow-up. If your pet is bitten by a dog or cat, make sure to get the owner or keeper’s name, address, and phone number. Regardless of vaccination status, the biting animal will be issued a state-mandated 10-day quarantine at the discretion of the Animal Inspector. Most quarantines take place in the animal's own home. The ACO/Animal Inspector will follow up with a health check at the end of the 10 days. If the animal is healthy, the animal could not have transmitted the rabies virus to the victim and post-exposure rabies treatment is not necessary. However, if the biting animal is not identified and issued the 10-day quarantine, the victim must move forward with post-exposure rabies treatment. These quarantines can be anywhere from 45 days to 4 months. Always get the biting pet’s information! These quarantines are not issued for the punishment of any animal, they are issued for Public Heath purposes only.

Instructions for 10-Day Home Quarantine

Massachusetts State Law requires a 10-Day rabies quarantine for any dog, cat, or other domesticated mammal which bites or scratches a human or other animal, regardless of vaccination status. This measure is designed to protect both humans and animals from the rabies virus, a preventable but fatal disease to both humans and animals. For more information, please contact the Massachusetts Division of Animal Health at 617-626-1810 or the ACO/Animal Inspector at 617-972-6446.

The location of the quarantine is at the discretion of the ACO/Animal Inspector!

Instructions for Home Quarantine

    1. Your home may serve as the facility used for confinement and shall ensure an escape-proof environment subject to unannounced, periodic spot checks by the ACO/Animal Inspector. The animal shall be confined inside your home and cannot be left outside on a chain or left inside a fenced yard unattended. Leash walks are okay.
    2. The animal shall not have contact with humans or animals for the 10-day period except the designated primary caretaker.
    3. At the first signs of illness, the owner shall notify the ACO/Animal Inspector. Symptoms to watch for include fever, loss of appetite, excessive irritability, unusual vocalization, change in behavior, restlessness, trouble walking, tremors, excessive salivation, convulsions, paralysis, stupors, or unprovoked aggression. If the animal dies during the 10-day quarantine, contact the ACO/Animal Inspector immediately.
    4. At the end of the 10-day quarantine period, the ACO/Animal Inspector must visit the animal to verify health status and lift the quarantine order. If the animal is healthy after the 10 days, we know that the rabies virus was not passed to the person or animal who was bit or scratched.
    5. If at any time during the quarantine these guidelines cannot be met or are violated, the animal will be picked up and the 10-day quarantine will be completed at a facility designated by the Watertown Health Department, at the owner's expense. Violations of a quarantine order are subject to a fine of up to $500 or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

Remember…while cases are not frequent, rabies is 100% fatal. Please adhere to the State quarantine guidelines. We care about you and your animal's health!

Additional Resources and Links

Rabies Protocols and Regulations

Center for Disease Control | Rabies

Rabies Clinics

Rabies Fact Sheet