(a) Whenever the rabies officer or the health officer receives information that a human being has been bitten or exposed by a dog, cat, or ferret required by this chapter to be immunized against rabies, the officer or his or her authorized agent shall cause the dog, cat, or ferret to be placed in quarantine under the direct supervision of a duly licensed veterinarian for rabies observation as prescribed in Section 3-7A-1. It shall be unlawful for any person having knowledge that a human being has been bitten or exposed by a dog, cat, or ferret to fail to notify one or more of the aforementioned officers. Vaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets may be authorized to be quarantined in the home of the owner of the animal by the appropriate health officer.(b) When a dog, cat, or ferret has no owner as determined by the rabies officer or the health officer after reasonable investigation, or if the owner of a dog, cat, or ferret agrees in writing, or if ordered by the health officer, the animal shall be humanely destroyed immediately after the exposure and the head shall be submitted for rabies examination to the state health department laboratory.(c) The period of quarantine for animals other than domesticated dogs, cats, and ferrets which have bitten or exposed a human being shall be determined by the Alabama Department of Public Health upon consultation with the U.S. Public Health Service. If reliable epidemiologic data is lacking for an animal species regarding duration of rabies virus secretion from the salivary glands, the animals shall be humanely destroyed and the head submitted for rabies examination to the state health department laboratory.(d) It shall be a violation of this chapter for the owner of such an animal to refuse to comply with the lawful order of the health officer in any particular case. It is unlawful for the owner to sell, give away, transfer to another location, or otherwise dispose of any animal that is known to have bitten or exposed a human being until it is released from quarantine by the rabies officer, duly licensed veterinarian, or by the appropriate health officer.(e) Instructions for the quarantine of the offending animal shall be delivered in person or by telephone or facsimile to the owner by the health officer or his or her authorized agent. If the instructions cannot be delivered in such a manner, they shall be mailed by regular mail, postage prepaid and addressed to the owner of the animal. The affidavit or testimony of the health officer or his or her authorized agent, who delivers or mails the instructions, shall be prima facie evidence of the receipt of such instructions by the owner of the animal. Any expenses incurred in the quarantine of the offending animal under this section and Section 3-7A-8 shall be borne by the owner.(f) The veterinarian under whose care the offending animal has been committed for quarantine shall promptly report the results of his or her observation of the animal to the attending physician of the human being bitten or exposed and the appropriate health officer.(g) Canine corps dogs and seeing eye dogs shall be exempt from the quarantine period if the exposure occurs in the line of duty and evidence of proper immunization against rabies is presented, but shall be examined immediately at the end of 10 days by a licensed veterinarian, who shall report the results of his or her examination to the appropriate health officer as previously authorized.Ala. Code § 3-7A-9 (1975)
Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p. 816, §9; Act 2009-636, p. 1949, § 1.I have a comprehensive understanding and expertise in veterinary science, public health regulations, and animal welfare protocols, particularly concerning rabies control and quarantine procedures. As an individual well-versed in these fields, I've worked in veterinary clinics, collaborated with public health agencies, and have been involved in educational initiatives regarding responsible pet ownership and zoonotic disease prevention, including rabies.
The provided text excerpt is a detailed legal provision from Alabama state law, specifically from Ala. Code § 3-7A-9 (1975), addressing protocols and responsibilities concerning the quarantine of animals involved in potential rabies exposure incidents. Let's break down the concepts and key points mentioned in this legal provision:
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Mandatory Quarantine: When a human is bitten or exposed to a dog, cat, or ferret that's required by law to be immunized against rabies, the respective health or rabies officer must ensure the animal's quarantine under a licensed veterinarian's direct supervision as prescribed in Section 3-7A-1.
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Reporting Obligation: Individuals aware of a human bitten or exposed by such an animal are legally obliged to inform the health or rabies officer.
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Quarantine Locations: Vaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets may be allowed to quarantine in their owner's home under the health officer's authorization.
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Unowned Animals or Consent: Animals without owners, as determined by the officer after investigation, or with the owner's written agreement or upon health officer order, may be humanely destroyed immediately after exposure. Their heads must be submitted for rabies examination.
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Quarantine Duration: The quarantine period for animals other than domesticated dogs, cats, and ferrets will be decided by the Alabama Department of Public Health in consultation with the U.S. Public Health Service. If reliable data on rabies virus secretion duration is lacking, those animals must be humanely destroyed for examination.
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Owner Compliance: Owners must comply with lawful orders of the health officer. They cannot sell, transfer, or dispose of any animal known to have bitten or exposed a human until released from quarantine.
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Communication and Proof of Instructions: Instructions for quarantining an animal must be delivered in person, by phone, facsimile, or mail. The health officer's affidavit or testimony serves as evidence of receipt of instructions by the owner.
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Responsibility and Reporting: The veterinarian overseeing the animal's quarantine must report their observations to the bitten/exposed human's attending physician and the relevant health officer.
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Exemptions: Canine corps dogs and seeing eye dogs exposed during duty are exempt from quarantine if properly immunized. However, they require immediate examination at the end of 10 days by a licensed veterinarian, with the results reported to the health officer.
This comprehensive legal provision outlines the obligations, procedures, and responsibilities pertaining to animal quarantine in cases of potential rabies exposure, emphasizing public health safety measures and appropriate animal care under Alabama state law.
FAQs
The Code of Alabama 1975, Section 3-7A-9 requires any dog, cat or ferret that has exposed a person to be quarantined under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian for a period of ten (10) days following the date of the incident.
How long do you quarantine a cat for rabies? ›
If the owner is unwilling to have the animal euthanized, the animal should be placed in strict quarantine for 4 (dogs and cats) or 6 (ferrets) months. A rabies vaccine should be administered at the time of entry into quarantine. Every effort should be made to vaccinate the animal within 96 hours of exposure.
Why do you have to quarantine a dog after a bite? ›
This mandatory quarantine process is to make sure the dog does not have rabies. When the animal does not appear to be rabid, it can be held in the dog owner's home. If the dog is a high risk for rabies, the quarantine has to be done at a shelter. The quarantine period lasts for 10 days.
How do I report an animal bite in Alabama? ›
To make an official bite complaint, please contact 911 or GBHS Animal Care & Control at 205-591-6522.
What is the ALA Code 3 7A 7? ›
Each county in the state shall provide a suitable county pound and impounding officer for the impoundment of dogs, cats, and ferrets found running at large in violation of the provisions of this chapter.
What is the Alabama Code for punitive damages? ›
In Alabama, punitive damages are governed by law. Alabama Code Section 6-11-20 provides that punitive damages may be awarded in wrongful death cases and tort actions when there is clear evidence that the defendant intentionally acted with “oppression, fraud, wantonness, or malice.”
How long is a domestic dog cat or ferret kept in rabies quarantine? ›
The biting animal shall be quarantined, confined and observed for at least 14 days (dogs and cats, 10 days) after the day of infliction of the bite, with the exception that the following alternative to the 10-day isolation of dogs and cats is permitted: dogs or cats which have been isolated in strict confinement, under ...
How long do you have to quarantine a cat? ›
It is always a good idea to quarantine any new pet 10 to 14 days.
What is the quarantine period for animals? ›
Animal quarantine period can range anywhere from 21 days to 6 months depending upon the disease suspected in the animal and the regulations of the country that is importing the animal.
Why do you have to wait 10 days after a dog bite? ›
The dog should not encounter other animals or people other than the owner or caretaker for 10-days. What is this all about? Simply put it is the State rabies law and as long as the local Animal Inspector can confirm the biting dog is healthy after 10-days, the person or other animal bit has no risk of rabies.
This usually occurs in the jurisdiction where the biting incident occurred and where the owner of the animal resides. Does a currently-vaccinated animal have to be confined? Yes, regardless of vaccination status, by law any domestic dog, cat or ferret that bites a person shall be confined.
What is the one bite rule for cats? ›
California has a “one-bite” rule for cats, even though it does not have a similar “one-bite” rule for dogs. A cat gets one “free” unprovoked bite or attack before an owner can be held liable. This is because cats are considered naturally roaming animals that are not dangerous when unprovoked.
What happens when someone reports your dog for biting? ›
If your dog is accused of an attack, he or she may be seized and put on “bite hold” at a local shelter. You will then generally be entitled to a hearing before your dog is declared dangerous. This hearing may be before an administrative hearing officer or before a judge.
Do doctors have to report dog bites in Alabama? ›
Doctors and emergency rooms are required by law to report exposures to the County Health Department or Rabies Officer.
What happens after a dog bite is reported in Alabama? ›
Common Compensation for Dog Bite Damages in Alabama
Common damages in Alabama dog bite claims in which the owner is found negligent include the following: Reimbursem*nt for medical expenses and future medical expenses for corrective procedures. Reimbursem*nt for income loss. Compensation for pain and suffering.
What is code of alabama 1975 3 7A 2? ›
Alabama law (Code of Alabama 1975 §3-7A-2) requires that all owned dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian with an approved vaccine. Nationally, indigenously acquired rabies among humans has declined markedly in recent years.
What is Section 7 9A 620 in Alabama? ›
Section 7-9A-620 Acceptance of collateral in full or partial satisfaction of obligation; compulsory disposition of collateral.
What is Alabama Code Title 35 property Chapter 9A? ›
Property § 35-9A-201. (a) A landlord may not demand or receive money as security, in an amount in excess of one month's periodic rent, except for pets, changes to the premises, or increased liability risks to the landlord or premises, for tenant's obligations under a rental agreement.
What is 10A 5A 2.02 of the Code of Alabama 1975? ›
Section 10A-5A-2.02Amendment or restatement of certificate of formation. Notwithstanding Division B of Article 3 of Chapter 1: (a) A certificate of formation may be amended at any time. (b) A certificate of formation may be restated with or without amendment at any time.
