Animal Bites

Any time an animal (excluding birds, reptiles, or small rodents),  bites or scratches and the skin being broken, the bite/scratch should be reported to the Department of Neighborhood Services at (414) 286-2268. After normal business hours, contact the Milwaukee Police Department (414) 933-4444. The person reporting the bite/scratch should have the following information available:

• Address of Animal, Name and Phone Number of Animal Owner (if known)
• Name, Address, Age and Phone Number of Victim
• Location of Wound (i.e. hand, leg, face, etc.)
• Circumstances surrounding the bite/scratch

Once the inspector receives the bite report, a visit will be made to the animal owner's home. The animal will be quarantined in the home for 10-14 days starting the date of the bite. After this period of time, the inspector will release the animal from quarantine by making another visit to the animal owner's home. At each visit, the animal must be observed by the inspector. During a quarantine period, no animal shall be taken for walks, left unattended outdoors, or be allowed to leave its premises for any reason. All animals are normally quarantined in their home unless the owner requests that the animal be taken to MADACC for quarantine, the animal was loose at the time of bite and apprehended by either the Police, Humane Officers or Health Officers, or the animal's owner does not obey quarantine restrictions and this is brought to the Department of Neighborhood Service's attention.

For more information, read our Animal Bites Brochure.