NAC441A.430. Management of animals that have been in close contact with animal suspected or known to have rabies; responsibility of owner for costs of quarantine, veterinary care and examination.

     1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a wild or exotic animal that is rabies-susceptible and in close contact with an animal suspected or known to have rabies must be euthanized immediately. The rabies control authority may exempt a rare or valuable animal from the provisions of this section.

     2. Unless the owner of the animal objects, a dog, cat or ferret which has not been vaccinated pursuant to NAC 441A.435 and which is considered by the rabies control authority to have been in close contact with an animal suspected or known to have rabies must be euthanized immediately. If the owner of the animal objects, the dog, cat or ferret must be quarantined within an enclosure or with restraints deemed adequate by the rabies control authority to prevent direct contact with a person or an animal for 180 days, under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian or any other person designated by the rabies control authority. The dog, cat or ferret must be vaccinated 1 month before release.

     3. A dog, cat or ferret which has been vaccinated pursuant to NAC 441A.435 and which is considered by the rabies control authority to have been in close contact with an animal suspected or known to have rabies must be:

     (a) Immediately revaccinated and confined for 45 days in a manner prescribed by the rabies control authority; or

     (b) Upon the request of the owner of the dog, cat or ferret, euthanized.

     4. A domesticated animal of a rabies-susceptible species, other than a dog, cat or ferret, which is considered by the rabies control authority to have been in close contact with an animal suspected or known to have rabies must be managed according to the discretion of the rabies control authority.

     5. The owner of an animal confined pursuant to the provisions of this section is responsible for all costs of confinement and veterinary care and examination.

     6. As used in this section, “in close contact with an animal suspected or known to have rabies” means, within the past 180 days, to have been bitten, mouthed or mauled by, or closely confined on the same premises with, an animal suspected or known to have rabies.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Health, eff. 1-24-92; A 3-28-96; R047-99, 9-27-99)