If any person alleges that an animal or livestock has bitten, scratched, or otherwise attacked a person within the city limits in a manner that caused a break in the skin of the person, he shall report the incident to the local rabies control authority (LRCA) aka Wichita Falls Animal Services or their designee. 

It shall be the duty of the owner to deliver the animal or livestock for quarantine purposes either immediately or the next business day if the bite occurs after normal operating hours. Quarantine shall take place either at the ASC or at a local veterinary hospital for a period of at least ten (10) days (240 hours from the time of the incident). The LRCA may offer home quarantine on a limited basis as determined by the LRCA or director. All criteria for home quarantine as mandated by the LRCA must be met and approval received from the LRCA. If home quarantine is offered, owner shall allow LRCA, or designee, access to the home quarantine area for inspection prior to, and during the home quarantine. If LRCA determines tests are required, all fees associated with testing shall be borne by owner.

Any owner or harborer of an animal or livestock that has bitten or scratched a person within the city who fails to turn over the animal for quarantine, or refuses to allow the quarantine of the animal or livestock pursuant to this section, or attempts to interfere with impoundment, shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine set out under the provisions of this article. Each day of refusal constitutes a separate and individual violation. Violators will receive a citation for each day the animal is not quarantined.

Any animal or livestock that has symptoms of rabies as verified by a veterinarian shall at once be placed under rabies quarantine by the LRCA, or tested in accordance with the department of state health services rules. It shall be the duty of every animal or livestock owner or harborer, veterinarian, physician, or any person to report to the LRCA or their designee all cases of rabies with which he comes in contact or to which his attention has been directed. This report shall be made immediately upon diagnosis or suspicion of a case of rabies.

Unvaccinated animals or livestock bitten or attacked by another animal or wildlife suspected of being rabid shall either be destroyed or isolated at the sole expense of the owner for a period of time as determined from the date of exposure in accordance with state law.

To file a complaint, click here Headline or call Animal Services Dispatch at 940-761-7824.