Pets and Wildlife

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Animal Bites and Rabies Prevention

We investigate all animal bites. Unfortunately, both domestic and wild animal bites and encounters create a potential for rabies exposure.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system. It is transmitted from infected animals to humans. With early intervention, rabies can be prevented. However, it is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

Domestic animals (dogs and cats) in Wauwatosa must be vaccinated for Rabies. Learn about pet licensing and vaccinations on our domestic animals webpage.

What if I am bitten?

  • Domestic Animal Bites
    • Report all domestic animal bite incidents to the Wauwatosa Police Department at the non-emergency number (414) 471-8430. The police report will be sent to us to investigate.
  • Wild Animal Bites
    • For wild animal exposure, including bat encounters, please contact us as soon as possible at (414) 479-8936. If you have the animal contained, do not release it to nature or harm the animal, since it may be needed for testing.
  • Medical Care
    • Thoroughly wash the animal bite or scratch wounds with liberal amounts of soap and water and seek medical attention.

Rats

The rats that live in Wauwatosa are Norway rats. There are no known reports of individuals in Wauwatosa contacting any illness from a rat. There are no known cases of Norway rats spreading Hantavirus to humans.

However, other types of rats can spread disease and interfere with economic and physical well-being.

Rats, predominately burrowing rodents, are most active at night and are seldom seen during the day except when there is a large rat population. Rats will eat almost anything and often feed on pet or bird seed.

What are signs of rat activity?

  • Droppings: shiny and dark colored when fresh
  • Runways: rats use the same trails from burrow to food, water and shelter
  • Burrows: found along walls, wood piles, and concrete slabs
  • Gnawing: rats must gnaw to keep their front teeth worn down

How can I prevent rat activity?

All homeowners and business owners can control the physical environment to limit rat populations. In Wauwatosa, it is property owners’ responsibility to prevent conditions on their property that provide a home or food source for rats.

  • Eliminating food sources
    • Use a garbage can with a tight-fitting lid for storing garbage
    • Do not leave pet food where rats can have access to it
    • Do not put food scraps in your compost pile or use the pit method of composting
    • Bird feeders may also be a source of food for rats
  • Eliminate shelters
    • Get rid of all rubbish, junk, and unwanted materials where rats can hide and live
    • Store building materials, firewood, etc. at least 18 inches above the ground
    • Grass clippings and tree trimmings can provide additional shelter
    • Prevent rats from entering buildings by closing all access route
  • Poison or trapping can be used to supplement good prevention practices but should not be used as a substitute for prevention
  • Rat poison is sold by many companies and is available to the general public – be sure to follow all instructions on the label completely
  • Please only use rat poison if you know you have a rat population issue
  • Trapping may be effective if populations are small

If you need more help, please contact a professional pest control specialist.

Do I have rats on my property?

We respond to complaints about rats and mice and provide information about rodent control and enforcement according to the Wauwatosa ordinance. We do not offer baiting or elimination services but can refer you to pest control companies.

You can report illegal dumping of garbage and solid waste on private property to the Wauwatosa Department of Property Maintenance at (414) 479-8981.

The rats that live in Wauwatosa are Norway rats. They do not carry Hantavirus and don’t typically spread diseases to humans. However, while rat bites are extremely rare, you should consult your doctor if you are bitten by a rat. If you find a dead rat in your yard, use gloves or a plastic bag to pick it up and throw it away. Some rats carry parasites similar to fleas. While these can be a nuisance, they are not harmful to humans.

It is the occupant’s responsibility to use garbage receptacles properly, to keep receptacles covered at all times, and to notify the property owner if the receptacle becomes cracked, broken, or loses its cover. It is the occupant’s responsibility to limit food sources otherwise meant for recreational animal watching (bird and squirrel feeding).

The City of Wauwatosa responds to complaints about rats and can provide information about rodent control and enforcement according to the Wauwatosa ordinance. We do not offer baiting or elimination services but can refer you to pest control companies. To request more information or enforcement, please contact us by calling 414-479-8936.

You can report illegal dumping of garbage and solid waste on private property to the Wauwatosa Department of Property Maintenance at (414) 479-8981.

To control rats, you must remove everything they need to survive:

Food. Eliminate all food sources.

  • Bag garbage and put in tightly covered containers.
  • Store pet food and bird seed in a metal container and off the ground.
  • Monitor compost piles.

Water. Remove any sources of standing water.

Shelter. Prevent opportunities for rats to burrow.

  • Keep plants and bushes trimmed and neat.
  • Cover exposed dirt with gravel.
  • Seal cracks or holes in your home and garage.
  • Don’t allow debris to accumulate on your property.

The best way to get rid of rats on your property is with trapping and/or baiting the rats. If you notice any evidence of rodent activity on your property, contact a professional exterminator to properly eradicate the issue. Exterminators can be found online or in your local phone book.

Keep an eye out for burrows, droppings, holes, and/or runways.

Burrows are oval shaped holes in dirt or concrete from one to four inches wide, with smooth edges. They can be found under bushes and plants and along foundations or walls.

Droppings are often found close to garbage.If they are moist and dark it is a sign that rats are active in the area.

Holes and gnaw marks might be seen on plastic garbage cans or the bottom of garage doors.

Runways are created by rats running back and forth along the same path. Rats can leave dark, greasy track marks on grass or concrete.

Bats

It is common for bats to find their way into homes and apartments. However, a very small amount of bats (2-3%) carry the rabies virus and testing is done only when necessary.

What if I find a bat in my home?

If you find a bat in your home, avoid coming into contact with the bat. If you or someone else has been exposed, the bat may need to be tested for rabies.

For recommendations on how to safely capture a bat, contact us by email or phone at (414) 479-8936. If needed, we can help you find animal control contractors who can assist if you are not comfortable doing this yourself.

Coyotes in Wauwatosa

There are wild coyotes in Wauwatosa. Learn about coyotes in Wauwatosa, reporting options, and our response plans here.

Where to Report Nuisance Wildlife

The Wauwatosa Health Department does not trap or bait wild animals. Our role is to assist residents by providing education and tips for coexisting with wildlife peacefully. For assistance with nuisance animals, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The Wauwatosa Health Department does respond to animal bites, rats, stagnant water that is a source for various animals or bugs, the number of cats/dogs in a household, and other health hazards. Submit an Animal Nuisance Report below.

Turkeys, coyotes, and other wildlife are a valuable part of our community, and we recognize that many people in our community enjoy the local wildlife. However, intentional feeding of wild animals can cause them to lose fear of humans and can result in habitation at close distances to humans. This can increase the risks of a negative interaction or aggressive behavior. Please do not feed wild animals in Wauwatosa.

Where to Report Sick or Dead Wildlife

The WI DNR monitors the health of Wisconsin’s wildlife. Report your sightings of sick or dead wildlife to the DNR Wildlife Hotline by emailing [email protected] or calling 608-267-0866. You will need to leave a message for hotline staff to return your call. In your message, please include the number of animals, the species (such as raccoon or Canada goose), if they were sick or dead, the specific location where you saw them, including the county and your contact information.

More info from the WI DNR

Resources

Wauwatosa Municipal Code Chapter 9: Animals

Animal Bites

Rats

Bats

Questions and Complaints

Please call (414) 479-8936 or fill out a service request form to report an animal issue, and a member of the Wauwatosa Health Department will investigate the issue and respond to you.

Domestic Animals

We ask residents to follow several safety laws regarding cat and dog ownership in the City of Wauwatosa.

Pets must be leashed at all times

Pets may not run loose on any public property, with the exception of designated dog parks. Pets must be confined by a leash, pen, or fence while on your property.

You may only own 3 animals

You may not possess more than a total of 3 cats or dogs or a combination thereof in any residence, apartment, or property. This includes foster animals.

Pets are required to be vaccinated against rabies

You must have your pet vaccinated by a veterinarian within 30 days of the animal reaching five months of age and re-vaccinated as required.

Pet bites are reportable incidents

You are required to report any incident of a bite, attack or injury to the Wauwatosa Police Department (stop by in person or call 414-471-8430).

An annual license is required for all cats and dogs

You can obtain a license through the Wauwatosa City Hall Treasurer’s Office. Pets must have visible license tags attached to a collar. Additional information can be found at the Dog & Cat Licensing website

Pet owners are required to clean up after their pet

You are required to remove your animal’s excrement from public property or the property of another person.

Besides following the local law, cleaning up pet waste helps keep our waterways clean. When left on the sidewalk or grass, rainwater washes pet waste through storm sewers and into nearby ponds, rivers, and lakes. As it decays and combines with warm water, pet waste uses oxygen and releases ammonia which can kill fish and other aquatic species.

Report issues

Please call the non-emergency police number for animal reporting at (414)-471-8430. You can also submit an Animal Nuisance Report about the number of dogs or cats in a home.

Please fill out this service request form to report an animal issue, and a member of the Wauwatosa Health Department will investigate the issue and respond to you.