Animal bites should not be taken lightly. This includes bites from dogs, cats, ferrets, horses or other farm animals, skunk, raccoon, fox, coyote, large rodents (including beavers, muskrats, or groundhogs), and small rodents (such as squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, chipmunks, rats, mice, rabbits, or opossum). Victims of animal bites, however minor, should always consult a physician or veterinarian because of the increased risk of wound infection due to bacteria in saliva and risk of rabies exposure. Health care providers, veterinarians, Johnson County Public Health Disease Prevention, and North Liberty Police collaborate on animal bite investigations.
Bite from a Pet
- Ask the owner of the animal for their contact information and whether their pet is current on their rabies vaccination.
- Call 911 or non-emergency dispatch at (319) 356-6800, depending on the severity of the incident, so that a report can be made.
- Clean the bite with soap and water as soon as possible and seek medical attention.
- A physician or veterinarian is required to fill out the Johnson County Animal Bite Report Form for bites to humans. All reported animal bites involving human exposure are investigated.
- Offending pet is required to be confined for a period of no less than ten (10) days. Visit North Liberty Code Chapter 57 Dangerous Animals for more information about this process.
Bite from Bat
Bats are considered high risk for carrying rabies and extra caution should be taken, even if you are exposed to a bat and you’re unsure if you’ve been bitten.
Exposed can include, for example, finding a bat in the room of a young child, toddler, or baby, a person with a learning disability, a sleeping person, or an inebriated person. People – found in rooms with bats – that are unable to state, “I know the bat did not touch me,” may have been exposed to rabies.
- Capture the bat and have it tested for rabies by calling Johnson County Public Health Disease Prevention at (319) 356-6040 (weekdays) or (319) 356-6022 (weekends/afterhours). Seek medical attention.
- If unable to capture the bat, go to the Emergency Room immediately to receive rabies post-exposure vaccines.
- A physician or veterinarian is required to fill out the Johnson County Animal Bite Report Form for bites to humans. All reported animal bites involving human exposure are investigated.
Bat Frequently Asked Questions: English, Spanish
Bite from Other Wildlife
- Call Johnson County Public Health Disease Prevention at (319) 356-6040 (weekdays) or (319) 356-6022 (weekends/afterhours) for next steps and information on rabies exposure risk.
- Clean the bite with soap and water as soon as possible and seek medical attention.
- A physician or veterinarian is required to fill out the Johnson County Animal Bite Report Form for bites to humans. All reported animal bites involving human exposure are investigated.
Wildlife in Iowa with a high risk of rabies includes skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes.
Dog Incident Report
Use the form below to submit helpful information to Animal Control regarding dog incidents in North Liberty, including but not limited to bites between dogs and Red Fern Dog Park rule violations. This information is used to keep track of incidents that are problematic but do not require Police intervention and dogs that should be scrutinized prior to being issued a dog park pass for the safety of the other parkgoers.
If further investigation is warranted, then city staff will contact the reporting parties and Administrative personnel will handle decision-making.
