Animal Bites

Reporting Animal Bites

If you own an animal that has bitten someone, or if you are the victim of an animal bite, you are required by State law to report such incidences to the City in which the bite occurred.

If the bite occurred within the city limits of Coppell, you should contact the Animal Services Department as soon as possible at either 972-304-3515 during normal business hours or through the Animal Services After-Hours Support Line at 972-304-3549 after 5 pm. If the incident is of a more severe or serious nature, please call 911 first to initiate an Emergency Services response.

Medical Facilities / Providers

You may call the after hours emergency support line at 972-304-3549 or fax a bite report directly to us at 972-304-7054 for review and follow-up the next business day.

Details to Note

If you are bitten by an animal and do not know who the owner is or the animal is not confined, it is important that you get the best description possible. Please take note of the animals last known location, direction of travel and contact the Animal Services Department as soon as possible so that Animal Services can attempt to locate and impound the animal for observation.

Local Rabies Control Authority

Animal bites to people must be reported as soon as possible to the Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA) in your community. In our community the Local Rabies Control Authority is typically an Animal Control Officer associated with the local law enforcement agency. The LRCA will investigate the incident and quarantine the animal for observation or testing, in accordance with Texas and local rabies prevention laws.

Get more information on Texas Rabies Laws.

Medical Treatment of Animal Bite Wounds

Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and hot water as a first aid procedure. For all animal bites, contact your physician to determine the need for a tetanus shot, receive proper wound care, and to discuss the risk of rabies exposure. The LRCA will determine need for quarantine or testing options for the biting animal.

Local Rabies Control Authorities and Animal Control Officers are trained to deal with animal bites and potential rabies exposure incidents. They know how to properly quarantine or test a biting animal to determine if a bite victim was exposed to rabies.