My dog has bitten someone — what do I need to do legally?
'Morso' = MOR-soh. Past participle of 'mordere' (to bite). 'Per legge' = by law.
After your dog has bitten a person — understanding legal and veterinary obligations.
'Ha morso' (has bitten) is the passato prossimo of 'mordere'. In Italy, after a dog bite, the veterinarian must report it to the ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale). The bitten person must receive anti-tetanus treatment. The dog is placed under 10-day quarantine observation (profilassi antirabbica), even if vaccinated. Dog bites are a public health matter under Ordinanza del Ministero della Salute 2009.
Il cane è in quarantena obbligatoria — viene a controllarlo il veterinario ASL?
The dog is in mandatory quarantine — will the ASL vet come to check it?
ASL vets monitor the dog for 10 days after a bite — ensures no rabies symptoms.
Sono responsabile dei danni causati dal mio cane?
Am I responsible for the damage caused by my dog?
Yes — Article 2052 of the Italian Civil Code makes owners strictly liable for dog bites.
Il cane viene classificato come pericoloso dopo un morso?
Is the dog classified as dangerous after a bite?
May result in an order requiring a muzzle and lead in public — ASL decides.
Italy's rabies-free status (since 1997) was briefly threatened by fox rabies in the Friuli border area (2011-2014), now resolved. Mandatory rabies vaccination for dogs applies only in border regions and for international travel. Under Italian law (Ordinanza del Ministero della Salute, 03/03/2009), dog bites must be reported by the treating physician to the ASL. Civil liability for dog bites falls on the owner under Article 2052 of the Codice Civile.