My Son Got Bit by My EX-BIL'S Dog, but Can't Provide Proof of Vaccination????

My dd was bit by a dog a couple of years ago. There was no ex or custody involved, but here's what happened.

The dogs did not have tags or collars, but they busted through their own fence so we knew who they belonged to. We called Animal Control who has a protocol in place for things like this. They instantly responded, with the police. The owner could not produce any records, but "thought" his dogs had gotten some vaccinations several years previously.

So Animal Control impounded the dogs. With rabies, if a dog is to develop any symptoms, it takes about 2 weeks. So they keep the dog for 2 weeks and closely monitor it. The owner is responsible for fees and board and food. After 2 weeks neither animal appeared sick, so my dd did not have to have shots. However, the owner could not pay the fees and did not get the dogs back. And he was barred from owning or registering a dog for a certain period of time.

We were told in the ER that rabies is a muscle disease and is usually transferred to a person when the rabies enters the muscle through a deep enough cut. Dd also passed that test because her bite was a flesh wound but did not tear the muscle. That doesn't rule it out 100% but it does somewhat lessen the possibility.

So I would definitely contact Animal Control in the city where the bite happened, and the police as well. Leaving a child with a dog like that is dangerous. Animal Control can give you some guidance.

I agree with Elena my daughter was bit on the fact pretty bad at 3 and the dog was quarantined and watched for 2 weeks. Thats how long symptoms of rabies take to show in dogs. I've never heard of doing the rabies shot when you can montior the dog. My daughter never got them

What kind of bite was this? I'm guessing it wasn't a playful, accidental, nip-while-tussling-over-a-dog-toy, but was an actual BITE?

I'm not sure how it works in CA, but I was bitten by a dog in Texas, and they take it very seriously. As in, a deputy from the sherriff's office was taking a statement before the ER staff was finished wiping away the blood.

The dog was put into quarantine to watch for symptoms of rabies, even AFTER the owner provided proof of immunization. I second the suggestion that animal control be called, or local law enforcement, or both. They will probably insist on proof of immunization.

They might not do anything, since the dog was protecting its turf against an "intruder." (When its human wasn't even there!?! - Of COURSE it's going to defend its home! What was your ex thinking?) But, the police report will also start a paper trail that will help what is being said about custody arrangements.

But, if this dog has a history of aggression, this needs to be addressed from this angle, too. Again, I don't know about CA, but TX has a two-bite rule. After a second bite, the dog is put down. When dogs discover how easy people are to attack, they are just too dangerous. And, if it turns out that the dog has a history of aggression, then that re-inforces your custody issues as well.

On a slightly different tangent, start documenting your calls to your ex regarding this dog bite situation. His lack of concern for his child's health is disgusting. Most parents would be demanding their brother's cooperation and would have taken the child to the ER immediately upon learning about the bite.

Should you ever return to court for custody or visitation issues, this could prove important to have.

Rabies shots are only good for 3 years before the dog would need another. The ex-BIL needs to find the certificate. If he can't find it at home he needs to contact the vet who gave the dog the vaccination they should have it on record. Also if the dog has a license through the county/city, which he should, the county should also have a record. If none of these are possible you need to contact Animal Control and tell them what has happened. As for you ex that's a whole different post I think. But for starters he should think about how he would feel if he had to get 21 shots in such a short amount of time. I myself have been vaccinated for rabies which is only three shots over a 6 week period and they are not fun and are painful. I can only imagine how 21 shots would be.

OMG!!! Of course your son is anxious - anyone that may have to undergo rabbies treatment would be anxious!

The first thing I would do is call Animal Control. They will contact your ex's brother and I bet he's a bit more concerned once they get a hold of him. If he can't prove the dog has had shots, Animal Control will probably quarantine the dog. I can't believe that these people don't remember where they took the dog for shots.

The second thing I would do is get a phone book and call all of the vet clinics in the area where your ex's brother lived 3 - 4 years ago and see if you can find the record yourself.

Next, I think I would do SOMETHING to limit the visitation. Obviously your husband is not taking his responsibility seriously and it could (if it hasn't already) become detrimental to your son.

Good luck! I PRAY you find those records!

I think you need to contact your attorney and re-visit custody with your ex. If he has no regard for your son's health and safety the child needs to not be around him.

As a responsibile pet owner, I make sure that my dog is vaccinated for all diseases including rabies. I have a card with her picture on it with all her information. Your ex-bil should as well. Unfortunately, if he cannot provide the certification, then your son will need to go for the treatment. I would notify animal control regardless. Why did the dog bite your son?

Contact Animal Control immediately. Any dog bit should be reported to them ASAP. They will follow the appropriate protocol, probably impounding the animal and watching for symptoms of rabies unless the owners can provide proof of vaccination. Follow all intructions from Animal control and your pediatrician. If your son has to go thru the shots then do it - his health comes first (I pray for you that he doesn't need them). I'd take the BIL to small claims court if he refuses to pay for the shots for your son. Be sure to keep and provide printed copies of your emails with your ex and ex-bil to animal services or anyone who might need it. BIL might say it wasn't their dog-after all it was a few days ago and he might think "how will animal control know or prove it was my dog and not someone elses?". Well the emails are your proof. Quite frankly, I would use this situation in the courts to try and reduce custody visits with your ex or get full custody all together. Obviously he doesn't value spending time with his son since he left him with someone else during his "time" with him. Pawns off his custody duty to others. He didn't seek medical care for his son immediately upon knowledge of a dog bite -irresponsible. Hope your son is ok. Good luck.

Please pursue this very aggressively -- and today. If the certificate is not in the doctor's hands by the time the doctor stated, your son MUST have the rabies shots. Rabies is fatal, period, and once any "symptoms" begin to show in your son it would be too late. If today is the deadline and there is no certificate -- your son must start getting those shots. Focus less on anger at dad (who does deserve plenty of anger--but later!) and focus entirely instead on getting your son those shots if there is no certificate by whatever deadline the doctor set. The brother saying that he's sure the dog had shots is not enough. I can't emphasize enough how important this is and how important it is to start those shots in time.

I agree with the person who posted that you should --once the rabies situation is taken care of and you are sure your son is OK -- talk to your lawyer ASAP about revisiting custody and visitation arrangements. Ask the attorney if you have enough evidence to get it changed on grounds that your ex basicially fobs off your child on other people on the weekends your ex has your son. It may be tough to prove -- your ex could just tell his relatives to say the boy is only visiting to be sure he knows his dad's family, etc. But the dog bite and the reaction to it could be something to put in your arsenal for reducing dad's custody later on. Ask the attorney. And document, document, document EVERYTHING even if it's just with your own notes (such as, "Called Ex and son was not with him, son was at So-and-so's house, 3 p.m., Saturday, date.")

It's my understanding that (in California, at least) a doctor who treats or examines a dogbite injury that has broken the skin is required to report this to Animal Control. Animal Control will visit the injured party's home and interview the involved parties, and will also visit the dog owner's home. The dog will be quarantined for 30 days, even if it has proof of rabies vaccination. If the dog shows no further signs of aggression during the quarantine, the dog is returned to the owner. If the owner cannot show proof of vaccine (which should be available at the vet), then the child will have to undergo rabies series. This should NOT be taken lightly; recently a young soldier returning from the war DIED because he was bitten by a dog while overseas (and they could not prove vaccination). He received part of the rabies series while overseas, but they did not continue the series here. He became ill and died --- such a needless death in these modern times.

I got bit by a stray cat about a month ago so had to get very educated on this topic! I had to get 8 rabies shots, over 4 weeks. You need to report the dog to animal control in the county where this happened and they need to quarantine the dog for 10 days (unless the owner can produce proof from a vet that the dog's been vaccinated in the last year). If they "can't find" the certificate, they just need to call the vet who vaccinated the dog and they can give you the information from their records. I would bet my last dollar that that dog has not been vaccinated in the last year. If the dog comes back clean after 10 days quarantine (or they have vaccinated the dog recently), then your son doesn't have to get the shots. The owners of the dog are required legally to cover ALL of the medical expenses related to this bite.
Good Luck,
A.