How Long Does a Dog Have to Be Quarantined After a Bite?

Keeping your dog up-to-date on rabies vaccines is crucial in case your pet is bitten by a rabid animal. It also makes a huge difference if Fido is the one who bites someone. While quarantine laws for biting dogs vary by municipality, they usually differ for canines without a valid rabies shot vs. those current on vaccinations. Quarantine periods range from less than two weeks to six months or more.

  1. No Rabies Vaccination

    • If the biting dog's owner cannot produce a valid rabies vaccination certificate, jurisdictions generally require a minimum 30-day quarantine period, with some municipalities requiring up to six months. Quarantine starts the day of the bite, or the first day the health department or other managing agency locates the dog. Dogs without a current rabies vaccination must spend the quarantine period in a veterinary facility or animal shelter at the owner's expense.

    In-House Quarantine

    • If your dog is current on his rabies vaccination, you might be able to quarantine your dog at home. Vaccination status isn't the only criteria used for in-house quarantine, but it's not possible without it. Typically, the dog cannot leave the owner's premises and can't have contact with humans or animals who don't live in that dwelling. The jurisdiction might allow a dog to leave the property for emergency veterinary treatment. Depending on local law, the quarantine period usually lasts 10 to 14 days, but can last longer. For example, Ohio's quarantine period for vaccinated dogs can't be less than 45 days. A veterinarian must observe the dog on the first and final days of quarantine for signs of rabies. If the dog's health or behavior changes during the quarantine period, the owner must notify authorities immediately.

    Nonqualifying Properties

    • If the owner's property is not considered appropriate for quarantine, animal control or the appropriate agency might require boarding the dog at an approved kennel or veterinary facility at the owner's expense for the mandated time period. Reasons for not allowing home quarantine vary, but include lack of a safely enclosed area for the dog to be walked for brief periods. That means apartment dwellers might not be permitted at-home quarantine if the law doesn't permit the dog to leave the premises, even for short walks. Depending on local statutes, it could also apply to homeowners without a fenced-in yard. A particularly vicious dog attack could negate in-home quarantine eligibility.

    Euthanasia

    • If the owner can't afford or refuses to pay for quarantine services, the law might allow for humane euthanasia. Stray dogs who have bitten someone might also be euthanized rather than quarantined. If the local authority believes an owned dog is rabid based on veterinary observation, it can be euthanized rather than quarantined. That's also true if the dog inflicted multiple wounds on the victim.