At the Sept. 15 Columbia County meeting, resident Theresa Waldo told commissioners she had been bitten by a dog on her property and described confusion about how the county handles dog-bite reports and rabies vaccination verification.

"I was pushing a lawnmower, I didn't see that the dog was home ... I just felt a bite on the back of my leg," Waldo said during public comment, describing multiple prior incidents and concern the dog remained dangerous.

Sheriff (name not stated) and a deputy explained deputies respond to animal-bite complaints, contact both the complainant and the dog owner, and complete an animal-bite report. The sheriff’s office forwards that report to public health for the public health officer’s follow-up, the deputy said.

Public health staff told the board that when an owner cannot provide proof of current rabies vaccination, the county requires a home quarantine confinement order and the dog is observed for 10 days; nurses also follow up with the bite victim to document symptoms and care. "If the owner doesn't have the proof of vaccination, then the owner signs an agreement that the dog will stay in quarantine, for a period of time," a public health staff member said.

Public health and sheriff’s staff clarified that Columbia County does not have a countywide animal-control licensing ordinance like some cities and that, in unincorporated areas, rabies vaccination is currently recommended but not mandated by the county; responsibility for specific enforcement and follow-up rests with the public health officer once the report is received.

Waldo said she received multiple rabies shots and that she was concerned no one had told her whether the dog’s vaccination record was up to date. Public health staff said they rely on the sheriff’s prompt forwarding of reports and that the quarantine process is the county’s primary protective measure in cases without vaccination documentation.

Commissioners thanked the resident and directed staff to coordinate as needed; no formal action was taken.