(ITHACA, NY, December 06, 2022) – The Tompkins County Health Department would like to thank all media outlets that published or broadcast our press release dated December 5, 2022, regarding a person who was bitten by a dog in Stewart Park. The reports, along with the community’s help, allowed the Health Department to locate the dog and owner.
The Health Department reminds everyone to:
- Avoid contact with any unfamiliar cats or dogs and any wild animals.
- All cats, dogs and ferrets must have initial rabies vaccinations administered no later than four months of age. Keep vaccinations current!
- Report the following incidents to the Tompkins County Health Department at 607-274-6688:
- All animal bites or scratches.
- If you are bitten by cat or dog, obtain the owner’s contact information (name and phone number) before leaving the location. This information will be used by the Health Department to verify the health status of the animal. With this information, the person bit may not need to undergo the rabies post-exposure vaccine series.
- Any human or pet contact with saliva or other potentially infectious material (brain tissue, spinal tissue, or cerebro-spinal fluid) of wild animals or any animal suspected of having rabies.
- All bat bites, scratches, or any mere skin contact with a bat, or a bat in a room with a child, or sleeping or impaired person.
TCHD will be hosting a Rabies Vaccination Clinic for dogs, cats and ferrets, on January 18, 2023, from 6pm-8pm, at the Tompkins County SPCA Adoption Center (1640 Hanshaw Rd, Ithaca). For more information or to register for an appointment, go online to: https://tompkinscountyny.gov/health/eh/rabies#clinics.
Further information can be found at: tompkinscountyny.gov/health/eh/rabies.
The Tompkins County Health Department is your partner for a healthy community. Find us online at TompkinsCountyNY.gov/health, and follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/TompkinsPublicHealth and on Twitter at @TompkinsHealth. Sign up to receive COVID-19 updates or other county announcements via email or text.
Media contact: Shannon Alvord, salvord@tompkins-co.org
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