Health Alert: TC EH Seeks Information About a Dog Bite at Dewitt Park
Published on July 15, 2025
Tompkins County Whole Health’s Environmental Health Division (EH) must locate a dog that bit a person on Monday, July 14, 2025, at approximately 1:00 PM, at Dewitt Park (intersection of E. Court St. at S. Cayuga St., Ithaca, N.Y.). The person was bit while walking through the park by a dog who was off leash.
The biting dog was described as a white dog with brown spots, possibly a pit-bull or pit-bull mix. The dog was wearing a pink collar and was unleashed. The dog was with a person who presented as a female who appeared to be in their mid-to late 30s, was approximately 5’5 tall, with a darker complexion, possibly of mixed race. The biting dog and its owner were sitting at a picnic table with multiple other people, but it was hard to tell if they were with them or just sitting near them.
Despite the owner stating that the dog is vaccinated, they did not provide a name or phone number for verification. 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 reporting bites to EH 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. This allows EH the opportunity to contact the owner after a 10-day observation period to verify the health of the animal and rule out the possibility rabies was transmitted from the bite.
The City of Ithaca recently shared a notice with guidance and resources for dog health and safety, released on July 9, 2025. This release, with links to various resources, can be accessed on their website: City of Ithaca: Guidance for Responsible Dog Ownership in Urban Environments
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 direct contact. Also report instances when a bat has been in a room with a sleeping person, a small child, a person under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if the person has a sensory or mental impairment.
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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