Ithaca — Tompkins County Environmental Health is actively searching for a dog involved in a biting incident that occurred on Monday in the Collegetown area. The incident took place around 3:15 p.m. on the 400 block of College Avenue, close to the local UPS Store. The victim was bitten on the hand and ankle while attempting to pick up a dropped glove.

The dog is described as small beagle mix with short hair and white, brown and dark brown patches. It was accompanied by a man identified as a white male, approximately 6 feet tall, aged between 40 to 50 years. The individual was noted to have a beard, wore glasses, a beanie hat, and a purple hoodie.

Tompkins County Whole Health emphasizes the need to locate the dog to verify its health and vaccination status. This step allows the department to observe the animal over a ten-day period. If the dog is found to be healthy, it would eliminate the risk of rabies for the person bitten. In the absence of such verification, the individual may be required to undergo a series of rabies post-exposure treatments, which involve multiple injections.

People with information can contact Tompkins County Environmental Health Division at 607-274-6688.

Source: Noah Wire Services