Health Alert: EH Seeks Info About a Dog Bite on Dryden Rail Trail

Published on May 20, 2025

Tompkins County Environmental Health Bite/Rabies Alert: Report to EH 24/7 at 607-274-6688: all animal bites or scratches, or suspicious encounters with potentially rabid animals. For emergencies, dial 911.

[UPDATE: 2pm, 5/20/25: Owner has been located. Thank you to the public for assisting in quick resolution of this case.]

Tompkins County Whole Health’s Environmental Health Division (EH) must locate a dog that bit a person on Friday, May 16, 2025, at approximately 3:00 PM, on the Dryden Rail Trail, around the bridge area before Keith Lane (Dryden, N.Y.). The person was bit on their hand while petting another dog. 

The biting dog was described as a large dog with short grayish brown fur, a breed unknown to the person. The dog was with a person who presented as a white male, approximately 25-35 years old. The biting dog and its owner were walking with a second dog, who is described as a large dog, similar to a Bernese Mountain dog. 

The owner had shared that the dogs were up to date on their rabies vaccinations, but EH must verify vaccination status, by reviewing the dog’s rabies vaccination certificate. EH also seeks to monitor the health of the biting dog through an at home observation over a ten-day period. If the dog can be located and observed to be healthy by EH, the risk of rabies infection can be ruled out and rabies post-exposure treatment for the person who was bitten will not be necessary. 

Anyone with information regarding this dog is urged to call EH at (607) 274-6688. Staff are available at this number to take calls related to rabies and bites, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

We would like to remind the public the importance of getting bites checked as soon as possible to determine if rabies post-exposure treatment is needed. We would also like to remind the public the importance of exchanging contact information when a bite occurs, to allow for quick resolution. 

Tompkins County Whole Health reminds everyone to: 

  • Avoid contact with any unfamiliar cats or dogs and any wild animals.
  • All cats, dogs and ferrets must have initial rabies vaccinations administered no later than four months of age.  Keep vaccinations current! Check back to our website for our next round of free rabies vaccination clinics. For other free or low-cost rabies vaccine programs, contact the local chapter of the Street Dog Coalition or the Cornell Healthy Pet Clinic held at Ithaca's Southside Community Center (305 S. Plain St., Ithaca).
  •  Report the following incidents to Tompkins County Environmental Health at 607-274-6688: 
  • All animal bites or scratches.
  • Any human or pet contact with saliva or other potentially infections material (brain tissue, spinal tissue, or cerebrospinal fluid) of wild animals or any animal suspected of having rabies.
  • All bat bites, scratches, or any mere skin contact with a bat, or a bat in a room with a child, or sleeping or impaired person. 

Further information can be found on our website: TCWH Environmental Health - Rabies Program 

Tompkins County Whole Health: envisioning a future where every person in Tompkins County can achieve wellness. Find us online at: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health and follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X. Sign up to receive Whole Health updates or other county announcements via email or text.  

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