Dog Involved in Scratching Incident in Mitchell Located

Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) is pleased to share that the dog being sought after it scratched a child in Mitchell on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 has been located.

Thank you to the owner for contacting HPPH. Successful follow up is being completed.

By law in Ontario, all cats, dogs and ferrets over three months of age must be vaccinated against rabies. HPPH is required to investigate biting and scratching incidents to determine whether the animal involved is up-to-date on its rabies vaccination. This is done to prevent human cases of rabies as there is potential the animal could have passed rabies on to the person they bit or scratched. Rabies is always fatal.

If the animal is not found, and the vaccination status cannot be verified, the person who was bitten or scratched may need to complete a series of rabies shots.

Investigations are about determining the health of the animal and do not typically involve removing the animal, or fining or reporting the owner.

HPPH reminds people to always try to obtain the contact information of the owner of the animal involved in a biting or scratching incident.

If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal, you should:

• Wash the wound with soap and water
• Contact your family doctor or nurse practitioner immediately
• Contact HPPH to report the incident as soon as possible

Animal bites and scratches can be reported to Huron Perth Public Health at 1-888-221-2133 ext 3670.  After hours or over the weekend, call the main number and follow the prompts to reach our answering service.