Dog Bites

Tips for Preventing and Avoiding Dog Bites:

  • Spay or Neuter your dog. Dogs that have not been spayed or neutered are three times more likely to bite than those who have been spayed or neutered.
  • Train and socialize your dog so that he or she is comfortable with being around people. This includes friends, neighbors, and children.
  • If you don’t know how your dog will react to a new situation, be cautious. When an unfamiliar person comes to the door, be sure to safely restrain your dog.
  • Don’t pet a dog, including your own dog, without letting him see and sniff you first.
  • Don’t disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
  • If a dog attacks, you may be able to decrease injury by “feeding” him your jacket, purse, or anything else that can serve as a barrier between you and the dog.

If your animal has bitten a human being, the owner must notify Animal Control of the incident.  Following the bite, the animal has to be quarantined for 10 days by one of the following methods:

  • The Animal Control Officer may, at his discretion, quarantine the animal at the Macomb County Animal Shelter at the expense of the animal owner or
  • The owner can have the animal quarantined at his own expense at a veterinary clinic or a licensed and approved animal kennel or
  • The animal may be confined to the owner’s premises in a fenced-in yard or pen, in the owner’s home. It shall be the decision of the Animal Control Officer to which of the above methods shall be followed and in any case the animal is to be kept from having any direct contact with any other animal or persons other than the owner and his family.

In Addition...

  • In cases where the animal has not been vaccinated for rabies, you must wait 10 days (the quarantine period) before a vaccination can be given. If an animal is taken to a veterinarian for any reason during the quarantine period, he must be advised that the animal is in quarantine and the Animal Control Officer must be advised of any treatment given.
  • If you observe the animal is getting ill or notice a change in its original disposition during the quarantine period, call the Mount Clemens Animal Control Department immediately.
  • IMPORTANT – Do not under any circumstance do the following before the ten (10) day quarantine period has passed:
    • Kill the animal
    • Dispose of it in any manner
    • Remove from the premises without first obtaining the permission of the Animal Control Officer