GNC.4.11.270 Quarantine

(a) All owners and keepers shall ensure that an animal is quarantined for a period of not less than ten (10) days when:

(1) the animal has bitten or attacked a person or domestic animal severely enough to break the skin or where rabies exposure may have occurred;

(2) the department has reason to believe the animal may be sick or diseased and presents a potential public health or safety hazard; or

(3) until such time as a veterinarian certifies that the animal is no longer capable of transmitting the disease when the animal has been diagnosed with any contagious disease.

(b) The owner or keeper of a quarantined animal shall keep the animal confined, as defined in Section GNC.4.11.250(c) for the quarantine period. The department shall have the authority to observe the animal at any place of confinement during the period of quarantine.

(c) The owner or keeper of a quarantined animal shall not sell, give away or permit the animal to be removed from the premises of the owner or keeper without written permission of the director during the quarantine period.

(d) The owner or keeper of any animal that has bitten or attacked any person or domestic animal severely enough to break the skin, or where rabies exposure may have occurred, shall not kill, destroy or dispose of the animal during the quarantine period. If the owner or keeper of a quarantined animal is unable to control the animal or confine the animal during the quarantine period, he shall notify the department, and the department shall pick up and impound the animal for the quarantine period.

(e) If the animal dies or exhibits symptoms of rabies, other illness, or other unusual behavior while quarantined, the owner or keeper shall immediately notify the department, and the department shall pick up and impound the animal for the quarantine period, as applicable.

(f) The department, in its discretion, may impound or quarantine an animal if the department believes:

(1) that the owner or keeper will not or has not properly quarantined the animal or will or has denied the department access to the animal; or

(2) in the case of any dog, cat or other animal, the owner or keeper failed to vaccinate the animal for rabies, and the department determines that it is necessary for it to quarantine the animal.