Reporting Animal Bites
Report any animal bites to your medical provider or local law enforcement if you are within a city in Otter Tail County. Otherwise, call the Sheriff’s Office.
What to do after an animal bite
- Wash the bite right away with soap and water
- See a doctor quickly. You might need medicine or a shot (like for tetanus or rabies)
- Get the owner’s name and phone number if the animal is a pet. Ask if the animal has had its rabies shots. If the pet is not vaccinated or they are not certain of the animal’s rabies vaccine status, the animal should be confined, controlled, and observed for 10 days.
- If it was a wild animal, the animal should be safely caught and tested for rabies. Ask law enforcement for help.
- If you have questions about bites, bats, or rabies, contact the Minnesota Department of Health.