The Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) received a report that a person was bitten by an unidentified dog on June 20, 2013 around 9:00am in Baker Park in Frederick, Maryland.
CONTACT: Susan Harding, Public Information Officer, 301-600-1385
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, June 21, 2013
Seeking Owner of Small, Brown, Yorkie-Type Dog;
Person Bitten in Baker Park in Frederick City
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FREDERICK, MD – The Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) received a report that a person was bitten by an unidentified dog on June 20, 2013 around 9:00am in Baker Park in Frederick, Maryland. The FCHD needs to speak with the owner of the dog so that the bite victim may avoid receiving unnecessary post-exposure rabies vaccinations.
The Frederick County Animal Control (FCAC) Officer advised that the unidentified dog (small, brown, Yorkie-type) and another Yorkie-type dog were being walked by their owner. Anyone within the area who has information about the owner’s identity is asked to contact the FCHD at 301-600-1717 or FCAC at 301-600-1544.
George Keller, Director for the Health Department’s Environmental Health Services advises the public, “To protect your family from possible rabies exposure, do not touch or play with wild or stray animals and make sure that your pets are currently vaccinated.”
Rabies is a viral disease that infects mammals (warm-blooded animals who nurse their young) and is spread by the saliva of the infected animal. Human cases of rabies are fatal if untreated. Symptoms of rabies in animals can include fear of water, limping, salivating, unusually friendly or aggressive behavior, or other atypical behaviors such as nocturnal animals emerging during the daytime.
If you or someone in your family is bitten or scratched by a dog or cat, you should contact FCAC for assistance at 301-600-1544. Please attempt to obtain contact information from the animal owner so that appropriate action can be taken.