What is the 10 day observation period?
After a healthy dog or cat has bitten someone, the animal can be watched for a period for 10 days at home by the owner. If after 10 days the animal is still alive and healthy, the bite victim does not need to get rabies shots. The health department will attempt to communicate with the pet owner during this time. If during this time the animal develops signs of rabies, testing will be performed. Rabies testing requires that the animal be humanely euthanized.
