Health Alert: EH Seeks Info About a Dog Bite at the Ithaca Dog Park

Published on July 23, 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.

Tompkins County Whole Health’s Environmental Health Division (EH) must locate a dog that bit a person on Monday, July 21, 2025, at approximately 5:00 PM, at the Ithaca Dog Park, located within the Allen Treman State Marine Park (805 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, N.Y.). The person was bit on the arm while breaking up a fight between their dog and the biting dog. 

The biting dog was described as brown, medium-sized, of mixed breed. The dog was with a person who presented as a white male who appeared to be in their mid-to late 60s or 70s. The man may have had a golden retriever with them as well.  

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. It is also important to exchange contact information when a bite occurs. This allows EH the opportunity to contact the owner to verify the health of the animal after a 10-day observation period and rule out the possibility rabies was transmitted from the bite. 

Tompkins County Whole Health reminds everyone to: 

  1. Avoid contact with any unfamiliar cats or dogs and any wild animals.
  2. All cats, dogs and ferrets must have initial rabies vaccinations administered no later than four months of age. Keep vaccinations current! Check 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). 
  3. 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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