Animal Bites & Reporting

In the city of Loveland, it is the law to immediately report any knowledge you may have of an animal other than a rodent, rabbit, bird or reptile biting a human so as to cause an abrasion of the skin to an animal protection and control officer. (Loveland’s municipal code and charter 6.12.020)

If any animal is suspected of having rabies or if any animal has bitten a person and has not had a current vaccination, the animal will be confined for a period of at least ten (10) days from the date of the bite at the animal shelter or at a veterinary hospital of the owner's choice, at the expense of the owner of the animal. During the ten-day observation period, no rabies vaccine shall be administered to the animal. (Loveland’s municipal code and charter 6.12.030 and 6.12.040)

What happens if a dog/cat bites me? Who do I contact?

If a dog/cat bites you, you should seek medical attention immediately and call Larimer Humane Society’s Animal Protection & Control department as soon as possible. You or your physician can contact the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment at 970-498-6700 to discuss treatment. Contact our Animal Protection & Control department with a description and location of the animal (home, where the animal is being kept or location last seen) as soon as possible after seeking treatment.

What is the procedure to quarantine my animal that bites me or someone else?

• Step 1: Seek medical attention
• Step 2: Contact animal control (all animal bites must be reported by law)
  • Provide the officer with your contact information (name, address, phone number)
  • Verify that the bite broke the skin (confirmation by a licensed physician)
  • Provide animal owner information (name and address if known)
  • Provide description of the biting animal (size, color, breed)
  • Provide the circumstance of the bite
  • Provide specifics as to the area of your body that you were bit
  • Provide where you got medical attention

Once Larimer Humane Society receives your report and verifies the information, an animal control officer will make contact with the owner. The dog will then be confined for a period of 10 days. Once the 10 days have passed, an animal control officer will return to the confined location to verify that the animal is still healthy and release the animal from confinement. The owner will be responsible for all fees for care and confinement of the animal.

What do I do if my animal or I am bitten or scratched by a wild animal (i.e. bat, skunk, coyote, raccoon or fox)?

• Seek a health professional or veterinarian as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours)
• Call Larimer Humane Society’s Animal Protection & Control department at (970) 226-3647 ext. 7.
• Notify your state or local health department

For more information regarding animal bites and reporting as it pertains to the Loveland municipal code, please visit code section 6.12.040.