As we get into cooler weather and soon the holiday season, more dogs and people will be spending time together indoors. When those people aren’t well known to dogs (and even when they are), some may respond to stress, perceived threats and a general encroachment on “their” territory by biting.
A dog bite, especially when it breaks the surface of the skin and when infections or other complications follow, can be serious. What can make a dog bite even more complicated is if the bite victim can’t determine whether the animal has been vaccinated for rabies. That can be the case when the owners can’t be immediately located or can’t produce proof of vaccination, like a tag with a dog license number.
A round of shots as a preventative treatment just in case a dog has rabies isn’t pleasant. However, rabies itself, once symptoms appear, is nearly always fatal for humans.
The “anti-vaxx” movement has affected how some people feel about vaccinating their pets
While the risk of getting rabies from a domesticated dog in this country is very low, that risk has increased somewhat in recent years as the “anti-vaxx” movement has spread to companion animals. While most responsible dog and cat owners follow their veterinarians’ vaccination recommendations, some who believe that vaccinations could be harmful for humans believe the same when it comes to pets.
The numbers aren’t high – at least not yet. Researchers in one study found that about 4% of dogs and 12% of cats have not received a rabies vaccination. That’s likely in part because states largely still mandate them. Kentucky law does, and (unlike in some states), does not allow exemptions.
However, researchers also categorized some 22% of dog owners and 26% of cat owners as “vaccine hesitant” when it came to their pets. That doesn’t mean they don’t comply with the law or even that they don’t vaccinate their animals -– only that they question whether vaccines are effective, if it’s better to build “herd immunity” by allowing more animals to get sick or that they think too many vaccines are recommended. This is not a trend to ignore, since it means the chances of being bitten by a dog that hasn’t been vaccinated for rabies could increase in the coming years.
If a person learns that a dog that bit them was not vaccinated for rabies, it means undergoing unpleasant prophylactic shots and increased anxiety. After the appropriate medical treatment is secured, it’s wise to seek experienced legal guidance to help ensure appropriate compensation from the responsible party.