READER REQUEST: Looking for owner of dog who bit boy (update: found)

| Pets | West Seattle news

Sent by Eric:

Hi! If your little black terrier mix looking pup ( with a bandana) lightly bit our kiddo yesterday afternoon in Arbor Heights, near SW 106th St and 39th Ave SW, can you please message Squeakers1234@protonmail.com ? Or if you know somebody who has a new dog that fits this description, please let me know. Our son is OK, but we want to make sure the dog is up-to-date on vaccines and avoid getting the rabies shots, so I’d love to reconnect with her to confirm the dog’s vaccine status. The owner was very nice but I forgot to ask and get the their contact information because I was a bit flustered when it happened. Thanks!

TUESDAY UPDATE: Eric says they’ve found the dog’s owner and verified it’s vaccinated.

Al King August 18, 2025 (7:01 pm)

Serves as a reminder that ANY dog, regardless of size or breed can cause problems.

Rick August 18, 2025 (7:01 pm)

I know it’s scary when your child is bitten by a dog, but the chance of rabies transmission is exceedingly unlikely. From the Washington Department of Health website (emphasis added by me):”During the last 30 years, four domestic animals in Washington have been diagnosed with rabies. In 2015, a cat infected with bat rabies virus was identified in Jefferson County. Previous identifications of animals infected with bat rabies virus include a cat in Walla Walla County in 2002 and a llama in King County in 1994. In 1992, a horse in Benton County died of an unidentified strain of rabies. The last suspected rabid dog was identified in Pierce County in 1987.“https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/rabies

RickB August 18, 2025 (8:54 pm)

Unlikely, yes, BUT… If you get rabies you die, so, as the parent noted, the child will have to get PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis, aka the rabies shot(s)) unless they can verify the animals vaccination status.

RabidFan August 19, 2025 (8:51 am)

Physician here. Given that documented infection in dogs is exceedingly rare, we do not assume the worst and proceed to PEP. All treatments, including PEP, bear some risk and to subject a child to PEP for a dog bite just isn’t done. Remember, the last time a dog in WA was found to be rabid was over 30 years ago. Try to find a documented human death from dog bite rabies in WA. To be clear, it’s common in other parts of the world and PEP for mystery-dog bite is a serious consideration. Not here. Get a bat bite? Different story.

Scarlett August 19, 2025 (9:45 am)

Even a bite from a small dog can cause serious problems. I was bit by a small terrier around three years ago. The wound took forever to heal and I have a resulting permanent scar. People are so unbelievably cavalier and irresponsible about their unleashed “Fluffy” who would never, ever hurt anyone. I was lucky but some people have permanent disabilities from dog bites.

J August 23, 2025 (8:59 pm)

I was bitten by dog a few years ago. Went to emergency and was told by the doctor that they don’t give shots for rabies because dogs don’t carry rabies these days and haven’t for many years. The doc told me they only give rabies shots for bites caused by raccoons, bats, rats and the like. A person bitten by a domestic dog is much more likely to get an infection if the bite is not properly taken care of. I’ve been a dog trainer. A dog that bites is the owner’s and breeder’s fault. I see too many dogs that control their owners rather than the other way around. Get your dog socialized and trained to obey. And never pet a dog who does not know you.

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