Dog Bite Laws in Allen County, Indiana
Last Updated: August 2026
Dog bites in Allen County should be reported to animal control, particularly because of rabies concerns and required quarantine procedures. Indiana law also establishes circumstances in which a dog owner can be held responsible when a dog bites or attacks someone.
Quick Answer
If you’re bitten by a dog, wash the wound with soap and water, seek appropriate medical care and report the bite.
Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control: 260-427-1244
After hours/weekends/holidays: 260-449-3000
Report a Dog Bite
Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control states that all animal bites to people and pets should be reported.
To report a bite:
Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control
3020 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Phone: 260-427-1244
After hours, weekends and holidays:
Call 260-449-3000
View Allen County/Fort Wayne Animal Bite Reporting Information
What Should I Do After a Dog Bite?
If a dog bites you:
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Immediately wash the wound with soap and water.
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Seek medical attention when appropriate.
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Get the dog owner’s name and contact information if possible.
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Ask about the dog’s rabies vaccination.
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Report the bite to animal control.
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Write down where and when the bite occurred.
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Take photos of the injury if appropriate.
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Keep medical and other records related to the incident.
For a serious injury or immediate emergency, call 911.
What Happens to the Dog?
A dog that bites someone is not automatically euthanized.
Dogs, cats and ferrets involved in bite incidents are generally required to complete a 10-day quarantine so officials can monitor the animal for signs of rabies.
Depending on the circumstances, the animal may be allowed to complete the quarantine at home or may need to be quarantined at the shelter.
Learn About Animal Bite Quarantine
Rabies Vaccination
The biting animal’s rabies vaccination status is important.
Animal control will generally ask the owner for proof of current rabies vaccination.
Fort Wayne also requires biting pets to be microchipped within 30 days after completing the required quarantine.
The quarantine process helps determine whether the animal may have exposed the victim to rabies.
Indiana Dog Bite Liability
Indiana Code includes specific rules concerning dog-owner liability.
Under Indiana Code 15-20-1-3, a dog owner can be liable when an unprovoked dog bites a person who is acting peaceably and is in a location where that person is required to be while performing certain duties imposed by state law, federal law or U.S. postal regulations.
In those circumstances, liability can apply even if the dog had never previously acted viciously and the owner didn’t know the dog might bite.
View Indiana Animal-Related Laws
What About Other Dog Bite Victims?
Indiana’s statutory provision isn’t the only way responsibility for a dog bite can arise.
For other victims, questions involving negligence, whether the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous, whether the dog was properly restrained, provocation and the circumstances of the incident can become important.
Because liability depends heavily on the facts, someone dealing with a serious dog-bite injury should consider getting legal advice rather than assuming that Indiana either automatically does—or doesn’t—hold the owner responsible.
Failure to Restrain a Dog
Indiana law also addresses situations where an owner fails to properly restrain a dog.
A dog owner can face criminal consequences when the owner recklessly, knowingly or intentionally fails to take reasonable steps to restrain the dog, the dog leaves the owner’s property, and the dog then bites or attacks another person without provocation and causes bodily injury.
Penalties can become more serious when there are previous violations, serious bodily injury or death.
Allen County Animal Control Rules
Allen County also has a local Animal Control Ordinance.
Local rules address animal control issues in addition to Indiana’s statewide laws.
View Allen County Animal Control Ordinances
Allen County’s current animal-control provisions are found under Title 8, Article 33 – Animal Control Ordinance.
Fort Wayne Dog Bite Rules
Within Fort Wayne, city animal-control ordinances also apply.
Fort Wayne requires the owner or person harboring an animal that has bitten a human or another animal to report the incident and make the animal available for quarantine.
Animal Care & Control investigates bite incidents and determines the appropriate quarantine and enforcement procedures.
View Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control
Dog Bites Outside Fort Wayne
For animal-control matters elsewhere in Allen County, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department Field Service Officers handle domestic-animal complaints.
Allen County Animal Complaints: 260-449-7491
Sheriff Non-Emergency: 260-449-3000
View Allen County Animal Control Information
Field Service Officers investigate animal bites and other domestic-animal complaints outside Fort Wayne.
What If a Dog Bites Another Dog?
Animal bites involving pets should also be reported.
Separate the animals safely if possible without putting yourself at risk.
If your pet is injured:
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Contact your veterinarian.
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Obtain the other owner’s contact information.
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Ask for rabies vaccination information.
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Report the bite.
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Keep veterinary bills and records.
Don’t put your hands between two fighting dogs.
Dangerous Dogs
A serious bite or attack can lead to additional animal-control investigation.
Officials may consider factors such as:
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Severity of the bite
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Circumstances of the attack
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Previous bite or attack history
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Whether the dog was restrained
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Whether the incident was provoked
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Risk to people or other animals
The outcome depends on the circumstances and applicable local ordinances.
What If the Dog Owner Leaves?
If possible, safely gather:
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Description of the dog
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Description of the owner
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Vehicle information
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Location
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Witness names
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Photos or video
Then report the incident to animal control or law enforcement.
Don’t put yourself at risk trying to detain or confront the owner.
Medical Care After a Bite
Even a relatively small dog bite can become infected.
Seek medical advice when appropriate, especially for:
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Deep puncture wounds
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Significant bleeding
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Bites to the face or hands
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Signs of infection
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Unknown rabies vaccination status
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Bites involving children
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Bites from an unknown or stray dog
If the animal can’t be located, tell your healthcare provider and animal control.
Before You Report
If possible, have:
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Dog owner’s name
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Address or contact information
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Description of the dog
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Location of the incident
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Date and time
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Rabies vaccination information
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Witness information
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Photos of injuries
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Information about what happened immediately before the bite
Don’t delay reporting just because you don’t have all of this information.
Local Tip
Don’t avoid reporting a bite because you’re worried the dog will automatically be put down. Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control specifically explains that biting dogs are not automatically euthanized and that many complete the required quarantine and remain with their families.
Reporting is important because officials need to address rabies exposure, quarantine requirements and public safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dog bites have to be reported in Allen County?
Animal Care & Control instructs residents to report animal bites involving people or pets.
Who do I call to report a dog bite?
Inside Fort Wayne, call 260-427-1244. Outside regular hours, call 260-449-3000. Outside Fort Wayne, Allen County animal complaints can also be reported at 260-449-7491.
Will the dog automatically be euthanized?
No. A biting dog is not automatically euthanized. Dogs generally undergo a 10-day quarantine and the circumstances of the incident are investigated.
How long is the quarantine after a dog bite?
Dogs, cats and ferrets involved in bite incidents generally undergo a 10-day quarantine.
Can a dog owner be liable for a bite?
Yes, depending on the circumstances. Indiana statutory law, negligence principles and local animal-control rules can all be relevant, so liability depends on the facts of the incident.
Related Pages
Official Resources
Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control
3020 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Phone: 260-427-1244
Allen County Animal Complaints: 260-449-7491
After Hours/Non-Emergency: 260-449-3000
Summary
Dog bites in Allen County should be reported to animal control. Dogs involved in bite incidents generally undergo a 10-day quarantine, but a bite does not automatically mean the dog will be euthanized. Indiana law can hold dog owners responsible in certain circumstances, and local animal-control ordinances also apply. After a bite, wash the wound, seek appropriate medical care and report the incident promptly.