Health Alert: Dog Bite on Monkey Run Trail/Varna Cliffs Area
Published on June 10, 2025
Tompkins County Whole Health’s Environmental Health Division (EH) must locate a dog that bit a person on Monday, June 2, 2025, at approximately 3:30 PM, on the Monkey Run Trail, around the Varna Cliffs area (Freese Road, Ithaca, N.Y.).
The biting dog was described as a medium-large black labrador-type dog. The dog was with a person who presented as a white male with facial hair. The biting dog and its owner were walking with a second dog. Both dogs were being walked on retractable leashes.
EH 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 infectious 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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