Officials with the Public Health office that serves Northumberland County are concerned about the number of people suffering from animal bites this fall.
Manager of Health Protection for Haliburton County, Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lakes, Richard Ovcharovich tells Quinte News they’re “getting slammed” with the number of animal bites being reported.
Ovcharovitch says some are benign but they have to follow up on all of them.
“Some have been extremely invasive where people have lost parts of their fingers, ears, nose, significant damage to their face.”
He cautions the public that friendly animals can often lash out unexpectedly.
“Especially wild animals and if you are going to be petting animals make sure you have the permission and the awareness of the individual
who owns them.”
Ovcharovich adds, “We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of bites. Last year alone, we’ve investigated 672 animal bites, which is a huge increase from the year before. And we’re enroute right now to surpass that number. We’re enroute to surpassing it. We’re over 450 cases right now and we’re only in September.”
The health unit is putting together a public awareness campaign to combat the issue.
