§ 8207 — Disposition of animals exposed to rabies

(a)Postexposure management of animals exposed to rabies must follow the guidelines set forth in the Compendium. —

The Department may make inspections as is deemed necessary to assure that the animal is properly controlled and observed or strictly quarantined, issue appropriate quarantine orders, and release the quarantine after the designated period. All costs relating to strict quarantine shall be borne by the owner of the animal. In instances where strict quarantine orders are violated, the owner shall implement alternative quarantine arrangements in consultation with the Department. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $200.

(b)Reports of suspected rabies exposures to vaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets by vaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets. —

A report of suspected rabies exposure to a vaccinated dog, cat, or ferret does not require control and observation when the owner of the animal suspected of being exposed can provide proof of current rabies vaccination for the aggressor dog, cat, or ferret to the Department and attest to the truthfulness of the identity of the aggressor and documentation of the aggressor’s vaccination status.

(c)Release of quarantine following suspected rabies exposure to dogs, cats, and ferrets by dogs, cats, or ferrets. —

In the event that the owner of the animal suspected of being exposed to rabies can attest to the Department that the biting animal is alive and not displaying clinical signs of rabies at 10 days following the date of suspected exposure, the quarantine for the bitten animal can be released.

(d)Vaccinated within 28 days of exposure. —

A dog, cat, or ferret that has received its initial vaccination against rabies within 28 days prior to the exposure or suspected exposure is considered unvaccinated for the purposes of quarantining the animal pursuant to this chapter, but not for the purpose of meeting the rabies vaccination requirement included in this chapter.

(e)Reporting of conditions of quarantine. —

(1) The owner of a dog, cat, or ferret controlled and observed or strictly quarantined pursuant to this chapter is responsible for reporting truthful and factual information to the Department or a licensed veterinarian, if that dog, cat, or ferret shows marked behavior changes, escapes, sickens, or dies during the quarantine period. If the quarantined animal dies, escapes, or for any other reason is not available to complete the quarantine period, the owner shall notify the Department by telephone within 12 hours and complete a signed, notarized affidavit stating the reason for the animal’s unavailability to complete the quarantine period. This affidavit must be submitted to the Department within 7 days of the animal’s disappearance or death.

(2) Any veterinarian, approved kennel, or other person having knowledge of a controlled and observed or strictly quarantined dog, cat, or ferret which shows marked behavior changes, escapes, sickens, or dies shall report the facts to the Department by telephone within 12 hours.

(3) Any person failing to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $200.

(f)Disposition during quarantine. —

A dog, cat, or ferret under strict quarantine may not be moved from the place of quarantine, destroyed, given away, or otherwise disposed of without the written permission of the Department. Any person failing to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $200.

(g)Surrender of dogs, cats, or ferrets for quarantine. —

A person may not fail or refuse to surrender any dog, cat, or ferret for control and observation, strict quarantine, or destruction as required in this section when demand is made by written order of the Department or Division.

Legislative History

66 Del. Laws, c. 247, § 1 ; 75 Del. Laws, c. 309, §§ 2, 3 ; 75 Del. Laws, c. 326, § 1 ; 83 Del. Laws, c. 32, § 6