§ 20-19-306 — Illegal acts when person bitten

(a) It is unlawful for any person bitten, the family, treating physician, or veterinarian that has knowledge of a person bitten by a dog, cat, or other animal to refuse to notify the health authorities promptly. (b) It is unlawful for the owner of the dog, cat, or other animal to sell, give away, transfer, transport to another area, or otherwise dispose of the dog, cat, or other animal that is known to have bitten a person until it is released by the health authorities. (c) (1) It is unlawful for the owner of the dog, cat, or other animal to refuse or fail to comply with the written or printed instructions of the health authorities in any particular case. (2) (A) The written instructions shall be delivered in person by health authorities or their authorized agent. (B) If instructions cannot be delivered in person, the instructions shall be mailed by regular mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to the owner of the dog, cat, or other animal. (C) The affidavit or testimony of the health authorities or their authorized agent, who delivered or mailed such instructions, shall be prima facie evidence of the receipt of the instructions by the owner of the dog, cat, or other animal.

Legislative History

Acts 1968 (1st Ex. Sess.), No. 11, § 3; 1975, No. 725, § 2; A.S.A. 1947, § 82-2403.