Severe weather can displace pets and wildlife and any animals lost, frightened, or hurt – may be more likely to bite.

• Do not approach, feed or handle displaced pets or wildlife.
• Do not disturb an animal that is sleeping, eating, or caring for its young.
• If an unknown animal walks toward you, stay calm and slowly move away.

If you are bitten by an animal and emergency help is needed, go to the nearest available hospital, medical treatment area, or call 911.

IF YOU’RE BITTEN AND NOT IN NEED OF CARE

• Wash your hands with soap and clean fresh water.
• Put pressure on the wound with a clean cloth to stop bleeding. After the bleeding has stopped, pour bottled or clean running water over the wound and gently clean around the wound with soap and clean water.
• Pat dry and use an adhesive bandage or dry clean cloth to cover the wound.
• Once the wound has been stabilized, seek medical assistance to ensure that no additional treatment is needed.

Report all bites to your local animal control or law enforcement to ensure rabies prevention follow-up is conducted.

INJURED OR ORPHANED WILDLIFE

You may encounter a small animal that seems orphaned or abandoned, but the parent may be searching for food or observing its young from a distance.

• Keep your distance, and report any wildlife you think may be injured or orphaned to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regional office.

DOGS

Bites from displaced dogs are the most commonly reported animal bite. If you see a displaced dog:

• Dogs are more likely to bite other dogs than people. If another dog attacks your dog, don’t put any part of your body between the dogs. Consider carrying a stick or another sturdy object that you can safely use to try to keep the aggressive dog away.
• Do not make eye-to-eye contact with a stray dog or any animal that’s being aggressive.
• Report aggressive dogs to local authorities, such as animal control or law enforcement.

WILDLIFE

Following a storm, you are more likely to see displaced wildlife.

• To avoid snake bites, stay out of tall grass or wear thick boots, and keep hands and feet out of areas you can’t see, especially when picking up storm debris. If you think you may have been bitten by a poisonous snake, call poison control at 1-800-222-1222 and seek medical care.
• Alligators may be observed more frequently in flooded areas after a storm. If you believe a specific alligator poses a threat to people, pets or property, call FWC’s at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).