Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-4-4-.05

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 420-4-4-.05 - Exceptions to Veterinary Confinement and Quarantine

(1) Assistance Animals. Guide, hearing, and service dogs shall be exempt from the quarantine period specified in § 3-7A-1(10), Code of Ala. 1975, if exposures occur in the line of duty and evidence of immunization against rabies is presented. An assistance animal shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian ten days after it exposes a human. Extended observation periods or additional testing may be required depending upon the animal's species, health status, circumstances of the exposure, and epidemiology of rabies in the area.

(2) Canine Corps Dogs. Canine corps dogs shall be exempt from the quarantine period specified in § 3-7A-1(10), Code of Ala. 1975, if exposures occur in the line of duty and evidence of immunization against rabies is presented. A canine corps dog shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian ten days after it exposes a human.

(3)Home quarantine may be permitted at the discretion of the Health Officer only if all of the following conditions are met:

(a) The exposure was as a result of a provoked incident. A provoked incident occurs when a person creates a situation such that an expected reaction of the animal is to bite or attack (e.g., feeding, grabbing, threatening, etc.). An unprovoked incident occurs when an animal bites or attacks for no apparent reason.

(b) The animal is currently vaccinated against rabies.

(c) The owner or person responsible for the animal agrees to have the animal examined by a licensed veterinarian ten days following the exposure. If the bite victim is an owner of the animal or lives in the same household as the animal, the Health Officer may permit home quarantine without requiring an examination by a licensed veterinarian on the tenth day of the quarantine.

(d) The animal is kept in an enclosed area (e.g., house, pen) in a designated confinement area (e.g., one room of house, one run isolated at a kennel facility) to avoid interaction with people and animals other than a single caretaker.

(e) If during the period of home quarantine the animal dies or exhibits clinical signs suggestive of rabies as determined by a licensed veterinarian, the owner or person responsible for the animal shall immediately contact the county health department. The Health Officer shall notify the person exposed and his/her physician so the physician can determine if post-exposure treatment is indicated.

(f) The owner is responsible for securing the animal during the period of home quarantine. Should the animal expose a human or animal and/or if the animal escapes or disappears from home quarantine, the owner or person responsible for the animal shall immediately notify the county health department.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-4-4-.05

New Rule: Filed September 19, 1997; effective October 24, 1997; operative November 4, 1997. Repealed and New Rule: Filed November 18, 2009; effective December 23, 2009.

Filed February 19, 2015; effective March 26, 2015.

Guide dogs ("seeing eye dogs") included in 1975 Code. Canine Corps dogs included in 1975 Code. Home quarantine for owners approved April 14, 1994, by administrative order. Rule .08 was renumbered to .05 as per certification filed November 18, 2009.

Authors: William B. Johnston, D.V.M., Dee Jones, D.V.M.

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 3-7A-1et seq., 22-2-2(6).