San Diego County Department of Animal Services

San Diego County's Department of Animal Services covers the unincorporated communities of the county. Every incorporated city — including the City of San Diego — is handled by San Diego Humane Society or a city-run program, so check which one covers where your bite happened (our tool does this for you).

How dog bite reports work here

Bites are reported to Animal Services directly or through the county's epidemiology program when a doctor treats the wound. An animal control officer investigates: identifying the dog and owner, verifying rabies vaccination, and documenting circumstances and witnesses.

The quarantine process

The biting dog is held under the 10-day rabies observation quarantine at the owner's home or a county facility, with the outcome documented at the end. That record answers the rabies question and pins down the dog's ownership.

How to request your records

Request bite and quarantine records through the county's public records process; the county's epidemiology unit tracks reported bites countywide. Prior-bite history on the same dog is requestable too. Our tool prepares the right request for your situation.

Service areas change as cities update their animal control contracts — we confirm the right agency for your specific bite as part of helping you. This site provides general information about California processes. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.