By law, all bites must be reported to the Local Rabies Control Authority (LCRA). In Grand Prairie, the LCRA is Animal Services and its officers investigate all bites. A bite usually means any contact breaking the skin, so scratches are also included. The goal of a bite investigation is not to punish the pet owners or animal, but to ensure state law is followed and minimize the chances of the bite victim contracting rabies.

In the process of a bite investigation, an Animal Services officer will verify a bite occurred, collect as much information on the animal and its owners as possible, and secure the animal for quarantine. A dog or cat that has bitten a person must be quarantined and observed for any signs of rabies. Quarantine involves strict isolation at an approved facility following Texas Department of State Health Services guidelines, and will last for 10 or more days from the time of the incident. An approved facility can be a personal veterinarian who has the approval of Grand Prairie Animal Services or the Prairie Paws Adoption Center itself. Quarantining ensures the safety of the bite victim.

To report an animal bite, contact the Prairie Paws Adoption Center at 972-237-8575.

Cruelty Investigations

To help prevent animal cruelty Animal Services relies almost entirely on citizen reports. A person who believes they’ve witnessed cruelty toward an animal should report it to the Prairie Paws Adoption Center 972-237-8575. Please report what you’ve seen, where and when it happened, and who was involved.

The reasons for prompting a cruelty investigation include allegations of abandonment, neglect, lack of food, water, or shelter, deplorable living conditions, untreated injuries and illness, dog fighting, and physical abuse.