You should be very concerned. Rabies is a virus that can be transmitted to humans through a bite from an infected animal. If left untreated, rabies is nearly 100 percent fatal in humans. New York statutes and Syracuse ordinances require all dog owners to not only license their animals, but also to ensure that the animal receives rabies vaccinations. Treatment for a dog bite often focuses on identifying the dog and ensuring that it has been vaccinated. A vaccinated dog is unlikely to have transmitted rabies to you, although you and the owner may need to monitor the dog to make sure. If the dog’s vaccination status is unknown, the dog should be impounded for several days of observation to determine if it is sick and if you need rabies treatment. In the event you cannot identify the dog that bit you or determine its health status through impoundment, a medical professional will likely recommend that you receive treatment for rabies as a protective measure. It’s too risky to “wait and see” with rabies beyond the length of an impoundment period—by the time the virus shows symptoms in humans, it is often too far advanced for treatment will kill its victim.