250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-05-2.9

Current through November 7, 2024

Section 250-RICR-40-05-2.9 - Rabies Exposure

A. Exposures from Domestic Animals

1. In the event that any human being or domestic animal receives an exposure from any domestic animal, the owner or guardian of the attacking animal, and the individual exposed, or the owner or guardian of the domestic animal that was exposed, must:

a. Immediately contact the ACO in the city or town within whose borders the exposure occurred.

b. Upon report of an exposure involving a domestic animal, the ACO shall make a site visit within twenty-four (24) hours and make a report including but not limited to, facts surrounding the exposure, description of the attacking animal, proof of most recent rabies vaccination for animal that was exposed, if any, proof of most recent rabies vaccination for the attacking animal, if any, the attacking animal owner's name and physical address, victim's name and physical address or exposed animal owner's name and physical address along with the ACO's recommendations and/or order of disposition of the attacking animal.

B. Investigation

1. During the course of the ACO's site visit and investigation, he/she shall make an order concerning:

a. euthanasia,

b. quarantine,

c. strict confinement,

d. close observation and/or

e. rabies immunization of any species of animal for which a USDA licensed rabies vaccine is available. If an exposure involves a species for which there is no USDA licensed rabies vaccine available, the ACO should contact the State Veterinarian to discuss extra-label vaccine use.

2. The person exposed and/or the owner or guardian of a suspect rabid or attacking dog, cat or ferret shall be notified by the ACO within twenty-four (24) hours of the disposition of the exposing/exposed animal.

a. All orders of quarantine, strict confinement, or observation shall be 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.

b. If the exposure occurs during an animal attack and the attacking dog, cat or ferret is killed during the attack, the ACO may, after determining if the attacking animal caused a potential exposure, require the head of the attacking animal to be submitted for examination and testing to the Department of Health Laboratory.

c. Canines belonging to State/Municipal police departments that bite during their police duties may not necessarily be placed under quarantine provided such animals are current on their rabies immunization. Such animals, if not quarantined, must be examined by a veterinarian fourteen (14) days following any such exposure incident and be certified in writing to be free from signs of rabies.

d. If the suspect rabid animal(s) reside in a municipality other than that where the exposure occurred, the responding ACO shall notify the ACO of the city or town where the suspect animal resides. The ACO for the municipality where the animal resides, shall then be responsible for ensuring that the conditions of confinement/quarantine are met.

e. If the suspect rabid animal resides in a state other than RI or if the ACO has good cause to believe that the owner or guardian of the animal will not comply with any action to protect the health of the victim of an exposure, whether that victim is a person or domestic animal, then the ACO may hold the suspect animal under quarantine in the municipality where the exposure occurred. 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. Any expense related to quarantine as described will be the financial responsibility of the suspect animal's owner.

C. Humans Exposed by a Wild Mammal, or Stray or Feral Domestic Animal

1. If any human being is exposed by a feral or stray domestic mammal, or wild mammal, the individual exposed must immediately call the ACO in the city or town within which the exposure occurred. domestic mammal, or wild mammal may be ordered euthanized by an ACO.

2. The euthanized animal's head shall be submitted to RI Department of Health Laboratory for rabies testing.

3. Any feral or stray domestic mammal, or wild mammal that is not euthanized must be quarantined by the ACO for a duration sufficient to control rabies as determined by the ACO in concurrence with the State Veterinarian. 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.

4. The ACO must notify RIDOH of all potential and documented animal exposures to humans.

D. Domestic Animals Exposed by a feral or stray domestic mammal, or wild mammal

1. If any domestic animal is exposed to or attacked by a feral or stray domestic mammal, or wild mammal, the owner of the domestic animal shall immediately contact the ACO in the city or town within which the exposure occurred.

2. The attacking feral or stray domestic mammal, or wild mammal may be ordered euthanized by an ACO and the head may be submitted to the Rhode Island Department of Health Laboratory for rabies testing.

3. Any attacking feral or stray domestic mammal, or wild mammal that is not euthanized must be quarantined by the ACO for a duration sufficient to control rabies as determined by the ACO in concurrence with the State Veterinarian. 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.

4. If the victim animal is domestic and other than a dog, cat or ferret, the responding ACO shall notify the State Veterinarian. The State Veterinarian will make recommendations regarding management of the exposed animal to the ACO. The responding ACO shall make an order concerning euthanasia, quarantine, strict confinement, close observation and/or rabies immunization of the victim animal in concurrence with the State Veterinarian.

5. If the victim animal is non-domestic (i.e. wild or exotic animal), the ACO shall contact the State Veterinarian. The State Veterinarian will make recommendations regarding management of the exposed animal to the ACO. The responding ACO shall make an order concerning euthanasia, quarantine, strict confinement, close observation and/or rabies immunization of the victim animal in concurrence with the State Veterinarian.

6. If the attacking and/or victim animal(s) reside in a municipality other than that where the exposure occurred, the responding ACO shall notify the ACO of the city or town where the animal resides. The ACO for the municipality where the animal resides shall then be responsible for ensuring that the conditions of confinement/quarantine are met.

7. If the attacking and/or victim animal(s) resides in a state other than RI or if the ACO has good cause to believe that the owner of the animal will not comply with any action to protect the health of the victim of an exposure, whether that victim is a person or domestic animal, then the ACO may hold the suspect animal under quarantine in the municipality where the exposure occurred. 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. Any expense related to quarantine as described will be the financial responsibility of the suspect animal's owner.

250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-05-2.9