250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-05-2.11

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 250-RICR-40-05-2.11 - Quarantine

A. An ACO shall order euthanasia, quarantine, strict confinement, close observation and/or rabies immunization for any mammal suspected of rabies incubation or exposure. Any order for quarantine or strict confinement shall specifically enumerate all conditions of such quarantine or strict confinement. All orders of quarantine must be of a duration sufficient to control rabies as determined by the ACO. The ACO may seek the recommendations of the RI Rabies Control Board as published in the State of Rhode Island Manual for Rabies Management and Protocols. A copy of such order shall be sent to the State Veterinarian within seven (7) days of issuance. Off-premises quarantine must only occur at a quarantine facility approved for that purpose by the State Veterinarian or his/her agent.

B. Suspect Rabid Animal

1. Any suspect rabid animal which cannot safely be maintained in a secure off-premise quarantine, and which does not meet the criteria of § 2.11(D) of this Part for strict confinement, may be euthanized and tested for rabies.

C. Quarantine Not Maintained

1. If, in the opinion of the State Veterinarian, the quarantined animal cannot humanely be maintained for the required quarantine period, the animal may be euthanized and tested for rabies prior to the completion of the quarantine period.

D. Strict Confinement

1. An ACO may allow strict confinement for any suspect rabid dog, cat or ferret if the following criteria can be met:

a. The suspect animal is currently vaccinated against rabies and;

b. The ACO or a licensed veterinarian shall, at the owner's expense, observe and certify in writing that the animal is free of signs of rabies on at least the first and last day of the quarantine period. If the animal becomes ill, escapes, exposes a person or other domestic animal, or has an additional rabies exposure during the quarantine or strict confinement period, the local ACO shall immediately be notified by the person having possession of the animal. At the end of the strict confinement period, the release from quarantine must be accomplished in writing by the ACO or licensed veterinarian examining the animal at the close of the quarantine period.

E. Refusal of Strict Confinement

1. The ACO may refuse Strict Confinement based on but not limited to the following factors:

a. The owner's history of non-compliance with regard to animal control ordinances/regulations/statutes;

b. If upon inspection by the ACO of the proposed home confinement area, it is determined to be unsatisfactory;

c. Evidence of non-compliance (intentional or otherwise) to an order of quarantine;

2. If, in the opinion of the ACO, a suspect rabid animal cannot be safely quarantined off premise, the ACO may allow strict confinement after concurrence with the State Veterinarian, the conditions of § 2.11(D)(2) of this Part notwithstanding.

F. Owner or Guardian Strict Confinement

1. If the suspect rabid dog, cat or ferret with a known owner or guardian is ordered by the ACO to be held in strict confinement:

a. The owner/ guardian must strictly abide by the order of strict confinement as issued by the ACO;

b. Such order of strict confinement must include specific instructions regarding manner of confinement and frequency of observation of the suspect rabid animal, characteristics to be aware of as well as what to do in the event of illness, behavioral change, escape, if the animal exposes a person or other domestic animal, or if the animal has an additional rabies exposure.

c. Said animal must be examined by a veterinarian or ACO on the last day of strict confinement and certified in writing to be free of signs of rabies.

d. Failure by the owner to abide by the specific instructions of strict confinement will result in seizure of the animal and euthanasia and rabies testing or completion of the quarantine off premise at the owner's expense.

G. Off Premises Quarantine

1. In the event that the owner/guardian of a suspect rabid dog, cat or ferret chooses to quarantine their animal instead of euthanizing said animal for rabies testing, and the conditions of § 2.11(D) of this Part cannot be met with the result that the animal is quarantined away from the owner/guardian's premises, the owner or guardian shall be responsible for all costs resulting from such ordered quarantine, including, but not limited to, a specified amount per day for the care and feeding of the quarantined animal as specified by the quarantine facility, and any and all additional fees required by the quarantining veterinarian, animal hospital, pound and/or kennel arising out of the quarantine. In order to be released from quarantine, any suspect rabid animal quarantined on or off premises must be examined by an ACO or Veterinarian on or promptly after the last day of quarantine and certified in writing to be free from signs of rabies.

H. Illness or Behavioral Change

1. If the suspect rabid dog, cat or ferret quarantined off premises becomes ill or displays a behavioral change during the quarantine period, the ACO shall ensure that the animal be examined by a licensed veterinarian. If the veterinarian concludes that the animal shows signs compatible with a diagnosis of rabies, the animal shall be immediately euthanized and tested for rabies.

I. Strays

1. If the suspect rabid dog, cat or ferret has no apparent owner and the ACO orders quarantine, said animal shall be held in accordance with state law. Feral and stray dogs must be held in compliance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-15. Feral and stray cats must be held in compliance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-22-5.

a. To allow the owner/guardian an opportunity to claim the animal, a reasonable attempt to notify the owner/keeper of the seizure and quarantine of the animal shall be made. Such notice may be limited to posting the animal's description at the place of quarantine and/or the office of the city or town clerk.

b. After the minimum holding period, the animal may be euthanized by a licensed veterinarian.

c. If euthanasia of said animal is performed prior to the conclusion of the holding period and if the animal euthanized is known to have exposed an animal or human, the animal shall be decapitated and the head shall be submitted for examination and rabies testing.

d. If the dog, cat or ferret with no apparent owner or guardian dies at any time during the quarantine and said animal is known to have exposed an animal or a human, the animal shall be decapitated and the head shall be submitted for examination and rabies testing.

e. If the dog, cat or ferret with no apparent owner or guardian becomes ill at any time during the quarantine and said animal is known to have exposed an animal or a human, the animal shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian.

f. If the veterinarian determines that said animal shows signs compatible with a diagnosis of rabies, the animal shall be euthanized and the head submitted for examination and rabies testing.

J. Ferrets

1. Due to the lack of an established incubation period, if the suspect rabid animal is a ferret, the ACO shall issue an order of quarantine or strict confinement for a duration sufficient to control rabies as determined by the ACO. The ACO may seek the recommendations of the RI Rabies Control Board as published in the State of Rhode Island Manual for Rabies Management and Protocols l. The ACO shall also make an order concerning euthanasia, restraint, quarantine or disposal of a ferret as deemed necessary to mitigate the risk of rabies transmission. The ACO shall send a copy of any order he/she issues to the State Veterinarian.

K. Livestock and Wild Mammals

1. If the suspect rabid animal is domestic and other than a dog, cat or ferret, the ACO shall issue an order of quarantine or strict confinement for a duration sufficient to control rabies as determined by the ACO in concurrence with the State Veterinarian.

2. If the suspect rabid animal is a wild mammal, the ACO shall issue an order of quarantine or strict confinement for a duration sufficient to control rabies as determined by the ACO in concurrence with the State Veterinarian.

3. For wild and livestock species, euthanasia should be considered for animals involved in high risk exposures as determined by the State Veterinarian in consultation with the RI Department of Health.

L. Any owner of an animal who is aggrieved by any order of quarantine, strict confinement, or euthanasia may appeal that order pursuant to the provisions set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-29(b).

250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-05-2.11