Officials are searching for a dog that bit a person in James City County Friday.
A medium brown-colored dog bit a person near North Riverside Drive and Cedar Drive, according to a news release from the Peninsula Health District.
If the dog is not found and tested for rabies, the bite victim may have to undergo post exposure treatment in the form of shots to prevent rabies, the release said.
Once the animal is found, it will not be taken away from its owner, it will just be placed on an in-home confinement period of ten days, the release said.
The new release reminds people to report all exposures, enjoy wildlife from a distance and make sure family pets are vaccinated and protected against the rabies virus.
Under Virginia state law, dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies between three and four months of age and then every three years after the initial vaccine, the release said.
Those with further questions should contact their veterinarian for more information.
Anyone who has seen an animal that fits this description in this area is asked to contact the Peninsula Health District – Williamsburg Environmental Health at (757) 603-4277. After hours, please contact the appropriate animal control office, listed below.
Newport News/Poquoson Animal Control: 595-7387
York County Animal Control: 890-3601
James City County/Williamsburg Animal Control: 253-1800
