What if I am Bitten or My Dog Bites Someone?

If you are bitten or your animal has bitten someone, contact the Wentzville Police Department’s Animal Control at (636) 327-5105.

It is required by Missouri statute and City Ordinance 205.430 that the animal be quarantined for (10) days at a facility or at the residents home.

It will be up to the discretion of the officer on whether or not the animal may be quarantined at home. This will be based on a number of circumstances which include but are not limited to:

•  If the offending animal has proof of a valid rabies vaccination.
• The animal has not met the criteria to be a dangerous vicious or ferocious animal as defined later in this section. 
• The owner agrees to the quarantine at the owner’s home or business.  This shall not apply if the animal owner’s residence or business is not within the City limits.
• The animal owner agrees to the following guidelines: 
  
  • Animal is not allowed outdoors off-leash.
  • Animal is allowed no contact with visitors or other animals.
  • Animal must reside indoors for the duration of the quarantine observation.
  • The Animal Control Officer or other designated Police official shall have twenty-four (24) hour access to the animal to check on its condition.
  • If an animal dies while under quarantine during the ten (10) days of impoudment, regardless of location or cause of death, the Animal Control Officer shall be notified and cause the head to be removed by the veterinarian and submitted for rabies testing.  The owner will be responsible for all costs.   

It is preferred that one person looks after the animal during this period and looks for signs of rabies which include:

• Change of behavior-not eating or drinking or wanting to be left alone
• Vicious
• Paralysis
• Difficult to arouse
• Starts biting at people
• Chewing at bite site
• Fever
• Change in bank tone

After the ten (10) day period, if no signs of rabies is present, the animal may be taken out of quarantine.

If your animal bites someone, a summons will be issued for vicious animal which carries a fine of no less than $500.  There will also be quarantine fees and City fees to get your animal out of impoundment.