§ 106-401 — State Veterinarian authorized to quarantine

(a) The State Veterinarian or an authorized representative may enter any property in the State or stop any motor vehicle on a public or private road to examine any animal that the State Veterinarian has reasonable grounds to believe is affected with or exposed to a contagious animal disease. If the person refuses to consent to the entry and examination after the State Veterinarian or an authorized representative has notified, in writing, the owner or person in whose custody the animal is found, of the intention to enter the property and conduct the examination, the State Veterinarian or an authorized representative may petition the district court in the county where the animal is found for an emergency order authorizing the entry and examination. The State Veterinarian or an authorized representative may quarantine any animal affected with or exposed to a contagious disease, or injected with or otherwise exposed to any material capable of producing a contagious disease and shall give public notice of the quarantine by posting or placarding with a suitable quarantine sign the entrance to any part of the premises on which the animal is held. The animal shall be maintained by the owner of the animal or the owner or operator of the premises in accordance with this Part at the expense of the owner of the animal or the owner or operator of the premises. No animal under quarantine shall be removed from the place of quarantine unless permitted by the State Veterinarian or an authorized representative in writing. The quarantine shall remain in effect until cancelled by official written notice from the State Veterinarian or an authorized representative, and the quarantine shall not be cancelled until any sick or diseased animal has been properly disposed of and the premises have been properly cleaned and disinfected.
(b) When determined by the State Veterinarian, in consultation with the Commissioner of Agriculture and with the approval of the Governor, that there is an imminent threat within the State of a contagious animal disease that has the potential for very serious and rapid spread, is of serious socioeconomic and public health consequence, or is of major importance in the international trade of animals and animal products, the State Veterinarian or an authorized representative may quarantine areas within the State. As part of the quarantine under this subsection, the State Veterinarian or an authorized representative may enter any property in the State to examine any animal, to obtain blood and tissue samples for testing for the animal disease, and for any other reason directly related to preventing or controlling the animal disease, and may stop motor vehicles on a public or private road. The provisions of subsection (a) of this section with respect to obtaining an emergency order do not apply to this subsection. Written notice of the quarantine, including a description of the area and the type of animal affected by the disease, shall be mailed or delivered to news media, farm organizations, agriculture agencies, and other entities reasonably calculated to give notice of the quarantine to affected animal owners, to the owners or operators of affected premises, and to the public. No animal subject to the quarantine shall be moved to any other premises unless permitted by the State Veterinarian or an authorized representative in writing. (1939, c. 360, s. 2; 1971, c. 724; 2001-12, s. 2; 2003-6, s. 1; 2005-21, s. 1; 2009-103, s. 1.)