Animal Bite Prevalence in Ontario

Animal bites occur regularly in Ontario, with many involving stray dogs, feral cats, raccoons, or other wild animals found in both rural and urban areas. Public health units track reports of animal bites because of the risk of rabies, infections, and other complications. Stray animals can be unpredictable, and wild animals may carry diseases that are not obvious at the time of the bite. Even in cities, residents often encounter raccoons or skunks that can transmit rabies. While not every bite leads to serious illness, Ontario health authorities emphasize reporting and treating animal bites early.

In a study of households in southern Ontario, 10.76% of urban households and 6.09% of rural households reported at least one person bitten by a dog in the prior year.

 

In Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health during 2010–2011, there were 1.55 animal bites per 1,000 residents per year reported.

 

In the KFL&A Public Health region from 2017 to 2023, there were 1,743 reported animal bites.

 

In Southwestern Public Health, for 2019-2021, there were 455 animal bite investigations reported in one year; most of the bites were from domestic animals. The region also has almost double the rate of Emergency Department visits for bites compared to the provincial average.

What Should You Do If You Got Bit by a Wild or Stray Animal

When you are bitten by a wild or stray animal, follow these steps to protect yourself:

  1. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and clean water to remove saliva, dirt, and bacteria.
  2. Apply a clean dressing or bandage to cover the wound and reduce risk of dirt entering.
  3. Try to identify or locate the animal; note what kind it was, whether it appeared sick, and if it was owned or stray.
  4. Report the bite to your local public health unit; they may need to monitor or test the animal for rabies.
  5. Seek professional medical evaluation—at least at a walk-in clinic or emergency department, depending on the severity of the bite.
  6. Make sure your tetanus vaccination is up to date; sometimes antibiotics will be needed if there’s risk of infection.
  7. Get your rabies vaccine.

These steps reduce risk of infection, help determine whether rabies post-exposure treatment is needed, and ensure proper wound care.

See also: Getting the Rabies Vaccine in Ontario – Everything You Need to Know

It’s Important to Treat Animal Bites Immediately

Prompt treatment of animal bites is essential because delay can increase the chance of infection and complications. Rabies is fatal once symptoms appear, but it can be prevented with timely vaccination. Ontario public health guidelines require that all suspected rabies exposures be reported and assessed. A doctor can decide whether you need rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, which involves a series of vaccines given shortly after the bite.

Book a Same-Day Walk-in Appointment at Infinity Health

Infinity Health offers same-day walk-in appointments, making it easier to get care quickly after an animal bite. Our clinics in Toronto and Oakville provide comprehensive services, including medical assessments, wound care, prescriptions, and follow-up if needed. Being able to see a doctor on the same day ensures that you don’t lose valuable time in starting treatment.

Infinity Health Locations

Toronto: 39 Lower Simcoe Street, Toronto, ON M5J 3A6

Oakville (Bronte Village): 2441 Lakeshore Rd W, Oakville, ON L6L 5V5

Book An Appointment Today