Tri-Cities Animal Bite Rules - Reporting & Quarantine

Public Safety Washington 3 Minutes Read · published February 10, 2026 Flag of Washington

In Tri-Cities, Washington, knowing how to report an animal bite and what quarantine may follow protects your family and your community. This guide explains who enforces bite reporting and quarantine, where to file reports, common penalties, and practical next steps for Kennewick, Pasco, Richland residents and nearby areas. If someone is bitten, seek medical care first, then report the incident to the local public health or animal-control authority listed below. Official local guidance is provided by the Benton-Franklin Health District and Washington State public health agencies, which set quarantine and rabies evaluation procedures for domesticated animals and exposures. Benton-Franklin Health District - Animal Bites[1]

Reporting an Animal Bite

If a person is bitten or scratched and the skin is broken, get medical care immediately. After treating wounds, report the incident so public-health officials can assess rabies risk and order quarantine or testing of the animal. Reports may be required from physicians, urgent care, hospitals, veterinarians, and the public.

  • Call your local police or animal-control office to report live threats or dangerous animals.
  • Report suspected rabies exposures to the Benton-Franklin Health District for investigation and direction.
  • Medical providers should complete any required animal-bite reporting form and submit it to public-health authorities.
Report early — public-health follow up is time-sensitive for rabies decisions.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement responsibility, quarantine authority, and any penalties for failing to report or comply with quarantine typically rest with the local health officer and city or county animal-control offices. Specific fines and penalty amounts are not consolidated on the cited local pages; see the official sources below for enforcement contacts and instructions.

  • Enforcers: Benton-Franklin Health District and city animal-control units enforce quarantine orders and public-health directives. Washington State Department of Health - Rabies[2]
  • Fines: specific fine amounts and schedules are not specified on the cited pages; penalties may be set by city code or county ordinance and vary by jurisdiction.
  • Escalation: information on first, repeat, or continuing-offence escalation is not specified on the cited health pages; contact local animal-control for city-specific code enforcement.
  • Non-monetary sanctions can include quarantine orders, seizure or impoundment of animals, required vaccinations, or referral to court for violations.
  • Inspection & complaints: make a complaint to animal-control or the health district; the Benton-Franklin Health District provides investigation and guidance on exposures. Report to BFHD[1]
  • Appeals/review: appeal routes and time limits for quarantine or orders are not specified on the cited pages; appeals are generally handled through administrative-review processes or local courts—contact the enforcing agency for deadlines.
If you don’t comply with a quarantine order, authorities may seize the animal or pursue legal action.

Applications & Forms

Health districts commonly use an animal-bite reporting form for providers; the exact form name or number (if published) is not specified on the cited public pages. Contact the Benton-Franklin Health District or your city animal-control office to obtain required forms or submission instructions.

How-To

  1. Seek immediate medical care for any bite that breaks the skin.
  2. Report the bite to local animal-control or the Benton-Franklin Health District for rabies assessment and quarantine guidance.
  3. Provide information about the animal, owner, vaccination status, and circumstances to investigators.
  4. Follow quarantine or testing instructions exactly, including isolation periods or veterinary check-ins.
  5. If required to pay fines or fees, follow the payment instructions from the enforcing city or county office.
Keep records and photos of injuries, the animal, and any communications with authorities.

FAQ

How long will my pet be quarantined after a bite?
Quarantine duration depends on the animal type, vaccination status, and public-health assessment; consult the health district or local animal-control for the specific required period. See state guidance for rabies evaluation. WA DOH: Rabies[2]
Who must report an animal bite?
Medical providers, veterinarians, and the public are generally required to report bites to the health district or local animal-control. Specific reporting obligations for professionals may be described by local or state public-health rules. Benton-Franklin Health District - Animal Bites[1]
What happens if an animal is suspected of having rabies?
Public-health officials may order quarantine, testing, or euthanasia for specimens destined for rabies testing based on assessment; follow directions from the health district and animal-control.

Key Takeaways

  • Seek medical care immediately after any bite that breaks skin.
  • Report bites to Benton-Franklin Health District or local animal-control for assessment.
  • Follow quarantine and testing instructions exactly to protect public health.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Benton-Franklin Health District - Animal Bites and Rabies
  2. [2] Washington State Department of Health - Rabies
  3. [3] Benton County - Animal Control

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