I. Any cat displaying symptoms which indicate a likelihood that such cat is afflicted with rabies which has bitten a person and caused a puncture of the skin or which has caused a nonbite exposure shall be immediately euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, division of public health services. It shall be the responsibility of the owner for any expense for euthanizing the cat and for preparing the head for shipment to the public health laboratory. If the owner of the cat is not known, the rabies control authority shall be responsible for the expense, and such expense shall be paid from fees collected under RSA 466:4 and 466:6.
II. Any apparently healthy cat not vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown which has bitten any person and caused a puncture of the skin or which has caused a nonbite exposure of the person shall be seized and, if the owner consents, impounded under the supervision of the local authorities for a period of not less than 10 days. If, upon examination by a licensed veterinarian, the cat has no signs of rabies at the end of the impoundment, it may be released to the owner. Any illness in the cat during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the cat shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, division of public health services. It shall be the responsibility of the owner for any expense for the examination and for the impoundment of the cat. If the owner of the cat is not known or if the owner does not consent to impoundment, the cat shall be euthanized upon seizure and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, division of public health services. It shall be the responsibility of the owner for any expense for euthanizing the cat and for preparing the head for shipment to the public health laboratory. If the owner of the cat is not known, the rabies control authority shall be responsible for the expense and such expense shall be paid from fees collected under RSA 466:4 and 466:6.
III. Any healthy cat vaccinated in accordance with RSA 436:100, which has bitten any person and caused a puncture of the skin or which has caused a nonbite exposure, shall be confined by the owner or other responsible person as required by the local authorities for a period of 10 days, at which time the cat shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian. If no signs of rabies are observed by the veterinarian, the cat may be released from confinement. Any illness in the cat during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the cat shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, division of public health services. It shall be the responsibility of the owner for any expense for the examination and the impoundment of the cat, for euthanizing the cat and for preparing the head for shipment to the public health laboratory. If the owner of the cat does not consent to the confinement or if the owner of the cat is not known, the rabies control authority shall be responsible for the expense and such expense shall be paid from fees collected under RSA 466:4 and 466:6.
I. Any ferret displaying symptoms which indicate a likelihood that such ferret
is afflicted with rabies which has bitten a person and caused a puncture of
the skin or which has caused a nonbite exposure shall be immediately euthanized
and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department
of health and human services. It shall be the responsibility of the owner for
any expense for euthanizing the ferret and for preparing the head for shipment
to the public health laboratory. If the owner of the ferret is not known, the
state shall be responsible for the expense.
II. Any apparently healthy ferret not vaccinated or whose vaccination status
is unknown which has bitten any person and caused a puncture of the skin or
which has caused a nonbite exposure of the person shall be seized and, if the
owner consents, impounded under the supervision of the local authorities for
a period of not less than 10 days. If, upon examination by a licensed veterinarian,
the ferret has no signs of rabies at the end of the impoundment, it may be released
to the owner. Any illness in the ferret during confinement or before release
shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies
develop, the ferret shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to
the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. It shall
be the responsibility of the owner for any expense for the examination and for
the impoundment of the ferret. If the owner of the ferret is not known or if
the owner does not consent to impoundment, the ferret shall be euthanized upon
seizure and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department
of health and human services. It shall be the responsibility of the owner for
any expense for euthanizing the ferret and for preparing the head for shipment
to the public health laboratory. If the owner of the ferret is not known, the
state shall be responsible for the expense.
III. Any healthy ferret vaccinated in accordance with RSA 436:100, which has
bitten any person and caused a puncture of the skin or which has caused a nonbite
exposure, shall be confined by the owner or other responsible person as required
by the local authorities for a period of 10 days, at which time the ferret shall
be examined by a licensed veterinarian. If no signs of rabies are observed by
the veterinarian, the ferret may be released from confinement. Any illness in
the ferret during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed
veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the ferret shall be euthanized
and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department
of health and human services. It shall be the responsibility of the owner for
any expense for the examination and the impoundment of the ferret, for euthanizing
the ferret and for preparing the head for shipment to the public health laboratory.
If the owner of the ferret does not consent to the confinement or if the owner
of the ferret is not known, the state shall be responsible for the expense.
Source. 1995, 202:9; 310:181. 1998, 368:1, eff. Aug. 25, 1998.
I. Notwithstanding RSA 436:105, III and any other provision of law to the
contrary, a police dog which has bitten a person may remain in service subject
to the following:
(a) The police dog shall have received its annual immunization for rabies in
accordance with this chapter.
(b) The handler of the police dog shall prepare an incident report and submit
the report to the appropriate law enforcement agency which shall advise the
appropriate local rabies control authority. The incident report shall be confidential.
The handler shall be responsible for observing the dog for 10 days after the
bite occurred and shall have the dog examined by a veterinarian at the end of
the 10-day period. If signs suggestive of rabies develop during the 10-day period,
the dog shall be examined by a veterinarian immediately. If the dog dies or
is killed during the 10-day period, the head shall be sent for examination to
the public health laboratory, department of health and human services.
II. The police dog shall be limited to law enforcement duties during the 10-day
period described in subparagraph I(b).
III. For the purposes of this section "police dog' means a dog employed
by or on behalf of a law enforcement agency.
Source. 1996, 256:2, eff. June 10, 1996.
In the case of dogs and cats known to have been bitten by a rabid animal or to have had a nonbite exposure, the following provisions shall apply:
I. Unvaccinated Dogs and Cats.
(a) In the case of dogs and cats which are not vaccinated in accordance with RSA 436:100 and which have been bitten by a known rabid animal or have had a nonbite exposure, the dogs and cats which were bitten or exposed to rabies shall be immediately euthanized, unless the owner is unwilling as provided in subparagraph (b) of this paragraph. The owner shall be responsible for the expense of destroying and disposing of the dog or cat. In the case of a stray dog or cat whose owner is not known, the rabies control authority shall be responsible for the expense, and such expense shall be paid from the fees collected under RSA 466:4 and 466:6.
(b) If the owner is unwilling to destroy the dog or cat, strict isolation of the dog or cat, in a kennel under veterinary supervision and in cooperation with the local authorities, for a minimum of 6 months shall be enforced. The dog or cat shall be vaccinated against rabies 30 days prior to completion of a 6-month impoundment. Any illness in the dog or cat during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, division of public health services. The expense of vaccination shall be paid in advance by the owner, and the expense of impoundment shall be paid monthly in advance by the owner. In case of default in payment, the local authority may euthanize the dog or cat after a 10day grace period and the head shall be sent for examination to the public health laboratory, division of public health services.The expense of euthanizing the dog or cat, for disposal of the remains, and for preparing and shipping the head, shall be the responsibility of the owner.
II. Vaccinated Dogs and Cats.
If the dog or cat is vaccinated in accordance with the provisions of RSA 436:100, the dog or cat shall be handled as follows:
(a) The dog or cat shall be immediately revaccinated and confined for a period of 90 days following revaccination. Any illness in the dog or cat during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, division of public health services. The owner of the dog or cat shall be responsible for any expense incurred. The type of confinement shall be at the discretion of the local authority. At the completion of confinement, the dog or cat shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian and released if found by said veterinarian to be free of any signs of rabies.
(b) If the dog or cat is not immediately revaccinated, the dog or cat shall be confined in strict isolation in a kennel for 6 months under the supervision of the local authority in cooperation with a licensed veterinarian. The dog or cat shall be vaccinated against rabies 30 days prior to completion of the 6-month impoundment. The owner of the dog or cat is responsible for all expenses incurred and shall pay each month in advance. If there is default in payment, the local authority may euthanize the dog or cat after a 10-day grace period, and the head shall be sent for examination to the public health laboratory, division of public health services. The expense of destroying the dog or cat, for disposal of the remains, and for preparing and shipping the head shall be the responsibility of the owner.
(c) The dog or cat shall be euthanized if the owner does not comply with the provisions of subparagraph (a) or (b) of this paragraph.
III. In the case of dogs and cats whose vaccination status is unknown and whose owner cannot be located, the provisions of RSA 436:106, I(a) shall apply. The expense shall be an expense of the rabies control authority, and such expense shall be paid from fees collected under RSA 466:4 and 466:6.
