Nashville Dog Bite Reporting - City Ordinance

Public Safety Tennessee 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 07, 2026 Flag of Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee residents who experience or witness a dog bite must follow city reporting steps to protect health and to preserve evidence for enforcement. This guide explains who enforces animal-related ordinances in Nashville, how to report a bite, what information to collect at the scene, common enforcement outcomes, and how to appeal or seek review. If you need immediate medical care, seek it first; then follow the reporting steps below so Metro Animal Care & Control and public health can act promptly.

How to report a dog bite

Report bites to Metro Animal Care & Control as soon as possible. Provide the victims name, contact details, location of the incident, description of the dog, owner information if known, and any witness names. Preserve clothing and photographic evidence and note the time and circumstances of the bite. For official reporting instructions and incident forms see the Metro Animal Care & Control reporting page[1].

Report the bite promptly to support rabies risk assessment and evidence collection.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of animal bite and dangerous-dog provisions is carried out by Metro Animal Care & Control and may involve coordination with Metro Public Health and Metro Legal. Specific penalties, fine amounts and escalation rules are set in the Metro Code and related enforcement policies; if exact fines or escalation schedules are not listed on the public enforcement page, they are noted as not specified on the cited page below[2].

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offences - not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to quarantine or isolate animals, seizure, impoundment, or civil action.
  • Enforcer: Metro Animal Care & Control; complaint and report page listed in resources.
  • Appeals and review: procedures and time limits for appeals are governed by Metro Code or agency rules; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page.
If immediate medical care is required, seek it before filing reports or preserving evidence.

Applications & Forms

Metro publishes incident reporting guidance and may provide a bite report form or online report tools on the Animal Care & Control site; if a named form number or fee is required it is noted on that page[1]. If no form is published, no specific form is required to initiate an investigation.

What to collect at the scene

  • Victim details and injury description, including photos of wounds.
  • Owner contact information and vaccination records if available.
  • Date, time and exact location of the incident.
  • Witness names and statements.
Keeping clothing and photographs can be critical for both health and enforcement actions.

Action steps

  • Seek medical care and document injuries.
  • Report the incident to Metro Animal Care & Control immediately and complete any required report form[1].
  • Preserve evidence and obtain witness contact information.
  • If an enforcement notice is issued, follow instructions and note appeal deadlines.

FAQ

Do I have to report every dog bite?
Yes, report any bite that breaks the skin or causes suspicious contact so public health can assess rabies risk and enforcement can investigate.
Who investigates dog bites in Nashville?
Metro Animal Care & Control investigates animal bites and works with Metro Public Health for rabies and medical risk assessment.
Can the dog owner be fined or the dog seized?
Owners may face sanctions including fines, quarantine orders, or impoundment; specific penalties are set by Metro Code and agency enforcement policies.

How-To

  1. Get medical care for the injured person and document injuries with photos.
  2. Collect scene information: date, time, location, owner details, and witness contacts.
  3. Report the bite to Metro Animal Care & Control via their reporting page or phone and complete any available incident form[1].
  4. Preserve all evidence and follow quarantine or impound instructions if provided by the enforcer.
  5. If you receive an enforcement notice, follow the steps to comply or file an appeal before the stated deadline.

Key Takeaways

  • Report bites promptly to Metro Animal Care & Control to enable public health action.
  • Preserve evidence and witness information to support any investigation or legal process.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Metro Animal Care & Control - Report an Animal Bite
  2. [2] Nashville Metro Code - Title 6 Animals

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