Huron Perth Public Health is searching for a dog involved in a biting incident that took place in Goderich, Ontario, on February 3, 2026. Finding the animal is a necessary step to check its health and vaccination records so medical and public-health staff can determine the appropriate care for the person who was bitten.
The individual involved was assessed at the Alexandra Marine & General Hospital following the incident. If the dog cannot be found and monitored (Huron Perth Public Health commonly references the 10-day rule; the health unit’s guidance notes animals are typically confined and observed for 10–14 days), the person may be recommended to undergo rabies post-exposure prophylaxis — a series of immune globulin and rabies vaccine doses — depending on the public-health risk assessment and provincial guidelines.
According to Huron Perth Public Health Medical Officer of Health Dr. Miriam Klassen, verifying the dog’s health through a period of observation is much less invasive than the treatment required for the patient. Provincial guidance requires health units to investigate animal bites and exposures because rabies is a fatal disease and timely investigation helps determine whether post-exposure prophylaxis is necessary.
Health inspectors are asking the owner of the dog or anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward so the animal’s health can be verified. Residents with information can contact Huron Perth Public Health to report the incident: call 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3670 (business hours) or 1-800-431-2054 (after hours/weekends).
