Animals not vaccinated against rabies which are exposed by a known rabid animal shall be immediately destroyed unless the owner or keeper agrees to strict isolation of the animal at a veterinary hospital for a period of four months at the owner’s expense. If the animal has a current rabies vaccination, the animal shall receive immediate veterinary care and receive a booster rabies vaccination within 96 hours of exposure and then can be allowed to return to the owner’s control and observed for 45 days. If the animal has been vaccinated but expired with appropriate documentation the animal shall receive immediate veterinary care and receive a booster rabies vaccination within 96 hours of exposure and then can be allowed to return to the owner’s control and observed for 45 days.
(A) Appropriate documentation. A rabies certificate or official veterinary record validating that the animal has received a USDA-licensed rabies vaccine at least once previously, and if a single vaccination, the animal was vaccinated at least 28 days prior to the exposure date. (G.S. § 130A-185 and § 130A-197)
(B) If rabies booster or vaccination is delayed, Local Health Director may consider increasing observation period (case by case) or quarantine period (from four to six months), considering severity of exposure, length of delay in vaccination, current health status, and number of prior rabies vaccines and lapses.
(C) Owner observation. Under the owner’s strict supervision and control (leash walk, fenced yard, no travel or boarding unless approved by the Local Health Director, no outings at dog parks or other parks, etc.) there should be no contact with animals or people other than the owner (caretaker) until the Local Health Director has released the animal from the 45 day observation period. Per 2016 NASPHV Rabies Compendium Post Exposure Management Control Measures for Dogs and Cats by rabies status category.
(Ord. passed 9-20-95; Amend. Ord. passed 3-3-97; Amend. Ord. passed 10-17-22)