If you are a victim of a dog bite, control the |bleeding| and rinse the wound area thoroughly with water to remove the animal's saliva. Wash the wound gently with |soap| and water for about five minutes, rinse it, dry it, and then cover it with a sterile gauze dressing. Most states require that dog bites be reported to the local health department. The animal needs to be identified and contained to watch for signs of rabies. If a human contracts rabies, the disease can be fatal. If the animal is not available for observations, you will need to consider rabies shots. Symptoms of rabies can appear from 10 days to two years after a bite. Even if the bite is small and minor, check with a doctor to find out if further care is needed and to evaluate the risk of ~infection~, tetanus, as well as rabies.
