If an animal has bitten a person, it must be reported to the Thornton police or animal control. If the skin on the person is broken, a bite report is required. The animal will either be closely confined by its owner or impounded by animal control, at the election of an animal control officer.

To report an animal bite, call Thornton Communications Center non-emergency number, 720-977-5150, or if an emergency exists call 911. For questions call Thornton Police Department at 720-977-5250.

The quarantine period shall not be less than ten (10) days, depending on the type of animal and its health. For dogs and cats in good health, the quarantine period will be ten (10) days. If the animal is inoculated for rabies during the ten (10) day quarantine, an additional ten (10) days will be required. If the owner of the animal that has been reported to have bitten refuses to produce the animal for quarantine, the owner can be arrested. If the animal is impounded for quarantine, the owner is responsible for all fees. The owner can be issued a summons if the bite was a result of an unprovoked attack either on or off its property.