Government » Departments » Health

Wildlife and Pests

Font Size: + -
Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option
Print

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

Rat

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. 

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 DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov 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.