Rabies - Still Fatal - The Community Depends on You
One of the most important aspects of an animal officer’s job is rabies control.
Animal officers need a thorough knowledge of the virus, response and control measures and the North Carolina rabies control laws.
Rabies is a fatal disease and once symptoms appear, there is no known cure.
While there have been a few survivors with the use of the Milwaukee Protocol, rabies is considered fatal once symptoms occur.
This section introduces you to the important aspects of rabies control measures, our rabies control laws and rabies control resources in North Carolina.
Rabies Worldwide
Rabies is one of the most virulent diseases of man and animals and has been documented in human history as far back as 2300 BC. Rabies is found on all continents and takes the lives of over 59,000 people every year. The majority of deaths are a result of canine rabies infection. Global efforts to control rabies include education, mass vaccination and prevention. You are part of that effort in your community.
In 2007, rabies scientists frustrated with the lack of collaboration and progress in rabies control created the Global Alliance for Rabies Control to eradicate rabies in humans by the year 2030 and established World Rabies Day, September 28.
One of the most important aspects of an animal officer’s job is rabies control.
Animal officers need a thorough knowledge of the virus, response and control measures and the North Carolina rabies control laws.
Rabies is a fatal disease and once symptoms appear, there is no known cure.
While there have been a few survivors with the use of the Milwaukee Protocol, rabies is considered fatal once symptoms occur.
This section introduces you to the important aspects of rabies control measures, our rabies control laws and rabies control resources in North Carolina.
Rabies Worldwide
Rabies is one of the most virulent diseases of man and animals and has been documented in human history as far back as 2300 BC. Rabies is found on all continents and takes the lives of over 59,000 people every year. The majority of deaths are a result of canine rabies infection. Global efforts to control rabies include education, mass vaccination and prevention. You are part of that effort in your community.
In 2007, rabies scientists frustrated with the lack of collaboration and progress in rabies control created the Global Alliance for Rabies Control to eradicate rabies in humans by the year 2030 and established World Rabies Day, September 28.
You can learn more about the global rabies effort by visiting the Global Alliance for Rabies Control.
A short video here about rabies and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control.
A short video here about rabies and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control.
Rabies in the USA
The United States reported over 100 cases of human rabies deaths in the 1900’s. This number has decreased dramatically due to rabies control efforts. The numbers of human cases began dropping sharply in the 1940’s when dog vaccination began showing results.
Today, only 1 to 3 human cases are reported annually in the United States. Most cases diagnosed in the USA since 2008 originated from dogs and bats infecting humans out of country.
There are many strains of the rabies virus. Humans are very susceptible to the canine rabies strain (also termed variant) resulting in the majority of human rabies infections and deaths worldwide.
The map below depicts the wildlife rabies virus strains predominant in various areas of the country.
Strain: A genetic variant or subtype of a microorganism.
The United States reported over 100 cases of human rabies deaths in the 1900’s. This number has decreased dramatically due to rabies control efforts. The numbers of human cases began dropping sharply in the 1940’s when dog vaccination began showing results.
Today, only 1 to 3 human cases are reported annually in the United States. Most cases diagnosed in the USA since 2008 originated from dogs and bats infecting humans out of country.
There are many strains of the rabies virus. Humans are very susceptible to the canine rabies strain (also termed variant) resulting in the majority of human rabies infections and deaths worldwide.
The map below depicts the wildlife rabies virus strains predominant in various areas of the country.
Strain: A genetic variant or subtype of a microorganism.
Rabies in North Carolina
At the turn of the 20th century North Carolina documented 20 dogs and 1 cat as rabid and human infections averaged approximately 1 person per year. Numbers of rabid animal numbers increased peaking in 1935 with reports of 900 rabid dogs, 80 cats and human infections continued.
In 1935 North Carolina enacted rabies control law mandating the vaccination of dogs and employed Rabies Inspectors. Cats were not included in the effort and as cat infections increased, the state mandated vaccination of cats in 1986.
Due to the nature of the cat and a typical practice of many cat owners who allow their pets to roam coupled with the practice of feeding stray cats, all of whom have a high risk of exposure to rabid wildlife, reducing rabies infections in cats is a challenge to rabies and animal control officers.
Animal officers discourage the practice of feeding and allowing unvaccinated cats to roam and reproduce through local and state law enforcement and education.
Continued enforcement of rabies control laws and education is showing positive outcomes. In 2016 North Carolina reported only 2 dogs and 10 cats as rabid and the last human infection in 2011 was a result of an organ transplant.
Numbers of rabid cats remain high.
The Disease
Rabies is a Lyssa (fury, rage) virus that causes an acute encephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord) and death.
All mammals are susceptible to this virus while certain species are infected often more than others.
Rabies is a zoonotic disease meaning a disease that is transmitted from animals to man.
Other examples of zoonoses are salmonella, Hepatitis E and Lyme disease.
Most zoonotic infections are treatable; rabies has no known cure.
Animal officers are typically vaccinated against rabies. If you are not vaccinated against rabies, speak to your supervisor or Health Director immediately.
Rabies is transmitted via the saliva of infected animals to a new host, generally through a bite.
The rabies virus can also be transmitted through saliva in contact with a break in the skin. Cases of infection have also been reported from organ transplants and drinking unpasteurized milk from a rabid cow.
Rabies is not transmitted via blood, urine or feces.
Once infection occurs, animal rabies progresses through three main phases. Human rabies phases differ but all pass through these phases as the disease develops.
Each phase varies in time length dependant on species, location of infection, existing health, rabies strain (variant) involved and other factors.
- Prodromal phase: Incubation, replication of virus in the body.
This phase can last from 1 to 2 months, but can vary from a few days to a few years.
Fever
Lethargy
Muscle soreness
Behavioral changes
Herbivores (plant eaters) may remain longer in this phase than carnivores (meat eaters).
- Encephalitic phase or Furious phase: Brain stem dysfunction.
Confusion
Excitation
Eating inanimate objects
Seizures
Delirium
Hydrophobia (fear of water)
Vomiting
Choking
- Paralytic phase: Paralysis, coma, death.
Inability to stand, walk
Unresponsiveness
Death due to respiratory or cardiac arrest.
Hydrophobia: Rabies virus is accumulated in the salivary glands of the host so it is transmitted further on to the next host. And, as one might expect, drinking water or other fluids can decrease the virus's ability for transmission.
To remain viable the virus causes painful spasms in the throat and larynx, saliva production is increased and drinking, or even thinking about drinking, causes painful spasms in throat.
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Dogs, cats and who have potentially exposed a person to rabies are confined for 10 days for observation. Most dogs and cats will demonstrate symptoms of rabies or die within that 10 day period. The majority of dogs will demonstrate symptoms or die within 4 days of infection or the demonstration of symptoms. Cat survival time may be somewhat longer but no animal has survived after demonstrating symptoms. |
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Prevention
In 1885 French microbiologist, Louis Pasteur developed the first anti rabies vaccine and saved the life of a 9 year old who had bitten by a rabid dog. Pasteur also invented the process to remove harmful microbes from wine, milk and beer. We all know this process as pasteurization.
Louis Pasteur
RABIES RESERVOIRS
The rabies virus resides in animal reservoirs.
Animals with a high incidence of rabies that are land dwelling such as the dog, raccoon, skunk and fox and others are considered terrestrial reservoirs.
The bat is a non terrestrial reservoir. The bat is the primary reservoir for rabies worldwide; however dogs are responsible for 99% of all human infections worldwide.
Animate beings, such as animals and people who transmit disease are termed vectors.
Inanimate objects, such as mops and equipment which transmit disease are termed fomites.
In NC, the rabies reservoir is found in the raccoon and is the primary vector for rabies transmission.
Important secondary rabies vectors in North Carolina are the fox, skunk and bat.
Click on the file below to see rabies cases emerge in North Carolina over a 10 year period.
Health and rabies officials follow the guidelines set by the National Association of Public Health Veterinarians. The guidelines are updated regularly and it is a valuable source of information,
| 2016_nasphvrabiescompendium.pdf |
The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)
is the source for North Carolina specific rabies information and provides rabies surveillance and manages health service delivery.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) oversees the National Rabies Management Program. North Carolina participates in the Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) program. This program distributes oral rabies bait in effort to vaccinate wild animals and slow the spread of the virus.
Rabies Control in North Carolina
You are the Front Line
Read Chapter 7 Public Health, subchapters – Authorities-Records and Communicable Disease – Reporting.
Animal and Wildlife officers are the front line defense for rabies control in North Carolina. In most situations it will be your office that is contacted when domestic and wild animals are observed to be sick, injured, or acting unusually.
The public expects you to have a good working knowledge of the rabies virus and the laws designed to protect people and animals from the disease. If you do not have the knowledge to address a situation, have the knowledge to know who does.
§130A-2. Definitions
This statute defines the terms used throughout this chapter from §130A-2. ending with §130A-201.
You will recall from Section 4 that specific definitions will apply in various chapters and parts of a law. Apply the definitions of §130A-2 to all statutes regarding rabies control in this chapter.
§130A-41. (b) 10 Powers and duties of local health director.
The local health director has the primary responsibility for rabies control in the jurisdiction. The health director may appoint a designee for this purpose such as a Rabies Control officer. Local ordinance may designate the animal control officer to act as rabies control officer. If neither have been addressed the County Dog Warden may take responsibility for rabies control.
See Chapter 2 Powers - Authorities subchapter Animal Control Officers for §67-31. Powers and duties of dog warden.
In any case, one would be very hard pressed to find a county without a rabies control program or officer.
Review your ordinances now; identify and read sections relating to rabies.
§130A-12. Confidentiality of records.
Reports of exposure to a rabies suspect or an injury such as a bite are considered a patient record and much of the information is confidential. Requests for animal bites can be provided with the exception to the patient information. This information must be redacted (removed or deleted).
We will discuss redaction further in Section 8. Public Records.
§130A-17. through §130A-20.
These statutes provide several avenues of authority in the enforcement of health laws and rules. These authorities are generally not pursued to control animals or rabies but are available if a Health Director deems it necessary.
§130A-19. Abatement of public health nuisance.
This statute has been used to protect people from roaming dangerous dogs in the past in North Carolina. Today, animal ordinances have evolved where the use of this authority is generally not necessary.
§130A-25. Misdemeanor.
This statute defines a violation of statutory rabies control law as a misdemeanor. The class of misdemeanor is not defined however, violation of a local ordinance is classified as a Class 3 misdemeanor. When rabies control ordinance violations occur, the Class 3 misdemeanor would apply.
We discussed misdemeanor classifications in Section 5 Civil - Criminal Procedures.
§130A-134. Reportable diseases and conditions.
Rabies is a communicable disease.
Rabies exposures you document must be reported to the Health Director. Every agency's reporting methods differ. A report may entail a phone call, fax, email or other means of communicating the exposure.
Communicable disease: An infectious disease transmissible from person to person by direct contact or by indirect means of a vector.
Communicable diseases are then reported by the Health Director to the NC Commission for Health Services.
§130A-135 through §130A-142
These statutes require day cares, physicians, schools to report animal bites and possible exposures to the Health Director.
In most circumstances, it will be the animal agency who is first contacted.
When an exposure/bite occurs your first priority is to identify and confine the suspect animal.
Read Chapter 7 Public Health, sub chapter Rabies Control.
§130A‑184. Definitions.
This statute supplements the definitions found in §130A‑2. Definitions.
Most of the terms used in Definitions (1) through (4) should be self explanatory, however there is terminology requiring more detail beyond the legal term itself for a better understanding.
(4a) Feral.
A feral animal is a domesticated animal that has reverted to its’ natural instincts.
A wild animal is an animal that is not domesticated.
Care should be taken when identifying a feral animal, in particular, the cat. Many times, cats are quickly labeled as “feral” or “unsocialized” when their behavior may be a result of mishandling, fear or illnesses. Feral animals are the result of the lack of human contact and it may take generations for domestic animals to become truly feral.
Feral cats who are unvaccinated pose a risk to the health of other animals and the community. There are many organizations who capture, neuter, vaccinate and release cats.
TNR: Trap, Neuter, Release.
Definitions (4b) ferret and (5) Rabies vaccine are self explanatory. Rabies vaccines purchased through domestic veterinary suppliers meets the licensing requirements.
(6) State Public Health Veterinarian at the time of this writing is Dr. Erica Berl at the NC Division of Public Health of the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
(6a) Stray is defined as out of confinement and has no identification.
You will recall from the Section 2 Powers & Authorities that ordinances may require a level of conduct more stringent than statutory law never less stringent. As a result, local ordinances may include other or all domestic species as strays.
New Hanover County provides us with an example:
Stray animal means any animal within the county wandering at large or lost and which does not have an owner, or does not bear evidence of the identification of any owner, or any dog or cat within the county whose owner, if determinable, has failed to pay for and procure county license/rabies vaccination tag.
Review your ordinances; identify and read sections relating to stray animals.
(7) Vaccination can only be performed by a NC licensed veterinarian, a NC registered Veterinary Technician or a NC Certified Rabies Vaccinator (CRV).
Detail regarding the CRV is found in §130A-186. Appointment and certification of certified rabies vaccinator.
§130A‑185. Vaccination required.
Dogs, cats and ferrets are required to be vaccinated again rabies when they reach 4 months of age. These animals may be vaccinated at 3 months and shall be by 4 months of age.
The first rabies vaccination provides adequate levels of rabies antibodies for 1 year. The booster dose provides adequate levels of rabies antibodies for 3 years. If the 1 year rabies expires before the booster dose, another 1 year vaccine is administered.
§130A-186. Appointment and certification of certified rabies vaccinator. (CRV)
Many animal officers and shelter staff become certified to administer the rabies vaccine.
Local health directors select individuals in their jurisdiction to administer rabies vaccines to dogs, cats and ferrets. The process requires a health director appointment, completion of an online training course, training by a licensed veterinarian and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
CRVs are authorized to administer only 1 year vaccines specifically to dogs, cats and ferrets, administration of the 3 year vaccine or vaccines for other species is reserved for licensed veterinarians.
This certification does not extend beyond the CRVs territorial jurisdiction.
Below you will find files and information required for CRV approval.
| process_to_obtain_crv_approval_09152015.pdf |
| crv_checklist.pdf |
| crv_mou_2017.pdf |
§130A‑187. County rabies vaccination clinics.
Rabies clinics are mass vaccination events.
The Health Director has a responsibility to ensure at least one rabies clinic is provided every year. As many of the rabies control functions are delegated to the animal services agency, it would generally oversee rabies clinics.
Rabies clinics are held in various locations to provide equitable service to all citizens. They are typically staged on government owned property such as fire departments, parks and other areas where there is to room move animals and people safely and liability is minimal.
Local veterinarians may be invited to participate in rabies clinics to administer a 3 year vaccine. In some jurisdictions, rabies clinics are held at veterinary offices and offer both the 1 and 3 year vaccination.
Three year vaccines can only be administered to animals whose previous vaccination has not expired.
Rabies clinics are labor intensive and can draw large crowds. Many people may arrive during a short time period and all are in close contact with unfamiliar people and dogs and cats.
Organization of the clinic requires at the least a vaccinator, clerical assistance for documenting rabies certificates, collecting fees, issuing tags and someone to keep order. It is a good opportunity to meet the citizenry, work alongside veterinary staff and at times, gather some valuable information. Local law enforcement will typically assist in these events when requested and if available.
Rabies clinics are mass vaccination events.
The Health Director has a responsibility to ensure at least one rabies clinic is provided every year. As many of the rabies control functions are delegated to the animal services agency, it would generally oversee rabies clinics.
Rabies clinics are held in various locations to provide equitable service to all citizens. They are typically staged on government owned property such as fire departments, parks and other areas where there is to room move animals and people safely and liability is minimal.
Local veterinarians may be invited to participate in rabies clinics to administer a 3 year vaccine. In some jurisdictions, rabies clinics are held at veterinary offices and offer both the 1 and 3 year vaccination.
Three year vaccines can only be administered to animals whose previous vaccination has not expired.
Rabies clinics are labor intensive and can draw large crowds. Many people may arrive during a short time period and all are in close contact with unfamiliar people and dogs and cats.
Organization of the clinic requires at the least a vaccinator, clerical assistance for documenting rabies certificates, collecting fees, issuing tags and someone to keep order. It is a good opportunity to meet the citizenry, work alongside veterinary staff and at times, gather some valuable information. Local law enforcement will typically assist in these events when requested and if available.
§130A‑189. Rabies vaccination certificates.
Owners of animals vaccinated against rabies must receive a copy of the rabies certificate, a copy is held by the vaccinator/veterinarian and a copy is to be held by animal control.
While there are no specifics in law to what information should be recorded, they should contain:
Owners of animals vaccinated against rabies must receive a copy of the rabies certificate, a copy is held by the vaccinator/veterinarian and a copy is to be held by animal control.
While there are no specifics in law to what information should be recorded, they should contain:
- Owner Name, Address, Contact number
- Animal Name
- Size
- Species
- Breed
- Sex
- Colors/Markings
- Rabies Vaccination Lot/Serial Number
- Rabies Tag Number
- Date Vaccinated/Expires
- Vaccinator/Veterinarian Signature
The CDC provides a checklist to identify questionable rabies certificates.
| questionablerabiescertificates.pdf |
§130A-190. Rabies vaccination tags.
Along with the rabies certificate, owners shall be provided a rabies tag. The tag is valuable in identifying the vaccine lot, the animal vaccinated and owner identification. Tags may be lost and most veterinarians and vaccinators can provide a duplicate tag if the owner can produce a valid rabies certificate.
Animal agencies and veterinarians can purchase rabies tags from the NCDHHS at low cost. Customized rabies tags may also be ordered by manufacturers but must be numbered and contain the following information:
One year State issued tags are silver.
Three year State issued tags are colored.
TIP: It is relatively easy for someone to obtain a rabies tag. A tag alone is not adequate to verify vaccination.
Acquire the rabies certificate for verification.
Along with the rabies certificate, owners shall be provided a rabies tag. The tag is valuable in identifying the vaccine lot, the animal vaccinated and owner identification. Tags may be lost and most veterinarians and vaccinators can provide a duplicate tag if the owner can produce a valid rabies certificate.
Animal agencies and veterinarians can purchase rabies tags from the NCDHHS at low cost. Customized rabies tags may also be ordered by manufacturers but must be numbered and contain the following information:
- Year issued
- North Carolina or NC
- Rabies Vaccine
One year State issued tags are silver.
Three year State issued tags are colored.
TIP: It is relatively easy for someone to obtain a rabies tag. A tag alone is not adequate to verify vaccination.
Acquire the rabies certificate for verification.
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You can trace a state issued rabies tag to identify an animal's owner using this tool.
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The rabies tag number is recorded on the rabies certificate.
Rabies certificates are manually recorded or computerized, dependent on resources.
If records are kept manually, it is extremely important to record and file them in numeric order by tag number. Do not neglect or become sloppy in recording numbers.
When you are in possession of an animal with a tag or receive a call regarding an animal’s tag number you should be able to discover the rabies certificate containing the information regarding the animal, the vaccine and the owner. If the certificate file is not in numeric order you will lose time and appear disorganized and unprofessional.
§130A-191. Possession and distribution of rabies vaccine.
In North Carolina rabies vaccine may only be possessed by:
Many states allow owners to purchase and administer rabies vaccines, other states will not recognize the vaccine if it was not administered by a veterinarian while still others strictly prohibit the possession and administration of the vaccine as NC does.
When presented with an out of state rabies tag or certificate, make sure a veterinarian administered the vaccine or check that state’s laws regarding vaccine administration.
Rabies certificates are manually recorded or computerized, dependent on resources.
If records are kept manually, it is extremely important to record and file them in numeric order by tag number. Do not neglect or become sloppy in recording numbers.
When you are in possession of an animal with a tag or receive a call regarding an animal’s tag number you should be able to discover the rabies certificate containing the information regarding the animal, the vaccine and the owner. If the certificate file is not in numeric order you will lose time and appear disorganized and unprofessional.
§130A-191. Possession and distribution of rabies vaccine.
In North Carolina rabies vaccine may only be possessed by:
- Veterinarians
- CRVs
- Producers and distributors
Many states allow owners to purchase and administer rabies vaccines, other states will not recognize the vaccine if it was not administered by a veterinarian while still others strictly prohibit the possession and administration of the vaccine as NC does.
When presented with an out of state rabies tag or certificate, make sure a veterinarian administered the vaccine or check that state’s laws regarding vaccine administration.
§130A‑192. Dogs and cats not wearing required rabies vaccination tags.
Canvassing a jurisdiction for animals wearing the rabies tag is routine for animal officers. It is performed as a formal canvass and/or while responding to reports and complaints.
If an animal has only an ID tag, a notice to the owner vaccinate and tag the animal within 3 days is typically issued (72 hour Notice, or Notice to Vaccinate. Agencies differ in titles).
Animals without the rabies or identification tag may be impounded. Note the term, “may”. If an animal is on its’ owner’s property, seizure of that animal will require a seizure warrant. In most cases, a vaccination notice is issued and the officer follows up.
If an animal is impounded under this authority, the animal must be kept for a minimum of 3 days. This law provides the basis for the “3 day rule”. Most offices count only those days or hours the facility is open to the public.
Local ordinance may extend the minimum impound period but during the minimum holding time an effort must be made to locate the animal’s owner. The use of microchip scanning is highly recommended and few agencies today are without scanners. Use of the internet, social media, and help from private organizations and groups assist in searching for owners of pets impounded or held at animal shelters. Animals may be held past the minimum period and many shelters attempt to keep animals until they are adopted which could take weeks or months.
After the minimum impound or holding period, animals are considered the agency’s property and may be:
Euthanasia methods are dictated in this statute by:
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), found in the NC Animal Welfare Act
or, in the absence of such rules (which is currently the case) by a procedure approved by
the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
or of the American Humane Association (AHA).
(a1) Before an animal may be euthanized it shall be made available for adoption as required
by the NC Animal Welfare Act. Chapter 9 sub chapter Animal Welfare Act in your manual.
The NC Animal Welfare Act is discussed in Section 12 Animal Welfare Act.
Records must be kept of the animals impounded under this section and are also required by the NC Animal Welfare Act.
Minimal information required:
These records apply only to those animals impounded under the authority of this section. The NC Animal Welfare Act requires much more information. Animal shelters are replacing pounds and records required by the Animal Welfare Act should be observed.
Review your ordinances now; identify and read sections relating to animal impoundment and animal seizure.
Canvassing a jurisdiction for animals wearing the rabies tag is routine for animal officers. It is performed as a formal canvass and/or while responding to reports and complaints.
If an animal has only an ID tag, a notice to the owner vaccinate and tag the animal within 3 days is typically issued (72 hour Notice, or Notice to Vaccinate. Agencies differ in titles).
Animals without the rabies or identification tag may be impounded. Note the term, “may”. If an animal is on its’ owner’s property, seizure of that animal will require a seizure warrant. In most cases, a vaccination notice is issued and the officer follows up.
If an animal is impounded under this authority, the animal must be kept for a minimum of 3 days. This law provides the basis for the “3 day rule”. Most offices count only those days or hours the facility is open to the public.
Local ordinance may extend the minimum impound period but during the minimum holding time an effort must be made to locate the animal’s owner. The use of microchip scanning is highly recommended and few agencies today are without scanners. Use of the internet, social media, and help from private organizations and groups assist in searching for owners of pets impounded or held at animal shelters. Animals may be held past the minimum period and many shelters attempt to keep animals until they are adopted which could take weeks or months.
After the minimum impound or holding period, animals are considered the agency’s property and may be:
- returned to the owner; if one found
- adopted as a pet by a new owner
- euthanized
Euthanasia methods are dictated in this statute by:
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), found in the NC Animal Welfare Act
or, in the absence of such rules (which is currently the case) by a procedure approved by
the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
or of the American Humane Association (AHA).
(a1) Before an animal may be euthanized it shall be made available for adoption as required
by the NC Animal Welfare Act. Chapter 9 sub chapter Animal Welfare Act in your manual.
The NC Animal Welfare Act is discussed in Section 12 Animal Welfare Act.
Records must be kept of the animals impounded under this section and are also required by the NC Animal Welfare Act.
Minimal information required:
- Date impounded
- Length of stay
- Method of release/disposal
- Who received the animal
These records apply only to those animals impounded under the authority of this section. The NC Animal Welfare Act requires much more information. Animal shelters are replacing pounds and records required by the Animal Welfare Act should be observed.
Review your ordinances now; identify and read sections relating to animal impoundment and animal seizure.
§130A‑193. Vaccination and confinement of animals brought into this State.
This statute is self explanatory. Many animal officers will not be aware of animals coming into their jurisdiction from out of NC.
If an animal is discovered that requires your attention, this law provides the authority to control the risk of a rabies introduction by requiring the animal to be vaccinated against rabies and confined for 2 weeks. Most agencies do not require the animal be impounded; the owner can be notified of the confinement (limited in movement, under control).
§130A‑194. Quarantine of districts infected with rabies.
When numbers of rabid animals exceed expected numbers or if the number and type of exposures is determined to be a public health hazard, the local health director may order a quarantine area for a length of time.
If a quarantine order is issued, this law initiates a “leash law” (animal is on a leash or under the control and in the sight of a responsible adult) and provides for animals to be confined at veterinary hospitals.
Many local ordinances have adopted this language verbatim.
§130A‑195. Destroying stray or feral animals in quarantine districts.
When quarantine has been declared and stray or feral animals continue to run uncontrolled in the area, any peace officer or Animal Control Officer shall have the right, after reasonable effort has been made to apprehend the animals, to destroy the stray or feral animals and properly dispose of their bodies.
Stray is defined as out of confinement and has no identification.
In the spring of 2108 the Pamlico County Health Director declared a 60 day quarantine.
Owners of livestock vaccinate their animals in areas with high incidences of animal rabies and those animals that are valuable. Vaccination of animals beside the dog, cat or ferret are reserved for veterinarians only.
Assessment 2
§130A‑196. Notice and confinement of biting animals.
As an animal officer you will use this statute extensively.
When a dog, cat or ferret (required to be vaccinated) bites a person, it must be reported immediately to the Health Director by the victim, parent or guardian and/or the owner of the animal within 24 hours providing the
If a physician's office is not the reporting party, certify there has been an actual bite.
A photograph of the injury can be kept on file if you must qualify the injury.
As an animal officer, you are, in all probability, the designee of the Health Director in rabies control issues and you will receive the reports.
All jurisdictions differ, you may receive a report from the Health Director that someone has been bitten. You may receive reports from day cares, hospitals, veterinarians, 911 and other sources.
In any or all cases, the Health Director must receive a report.
As rabies is a communicable disease, Chapter 7 sub chapter Communicable Disease – Reporting contains the statutes describing all who are to report a bite.
Confinement of the biting animal is the first priority to isolate the rabies virus if present.
The first action in disease control is to isolate the agent.
The officer shall make attempts to locate the animal.
If the animal is a stray or feral or an owner cannot be found in 72 hours, the Health Director may order it’s destruction and rabies testing. This is generally performed as a result of a request to the Health Director from the animal officer.
Dependent on the circumstances the animal will probably be the minimum of 10 days according to (b) Confinement.
Note the exception for K9 officers.
Home confinement varies throughout the state dependent on the Health Director’s instructions. We will discuss this in depth further in this section.
The Confined Pet
If the animal is not currently vaccinated it should be impounded at the animal shelter or a veterinary clinic and observed for signs of illness. As we discussed earlier most dogs will demonstrate signs of illness within 4 days. Cats may demonstrate later but both species must be confined and observed for 10 days.
These animals are housed in a separate area and should not have contact with other people asides the staff caring for them.
Many owners will ask to visit their pets, it is advised you deny the request. When pet animals are confined in strange surroundings, stress is at high levels, especially with dogs and cats who are extremely bonded to the owners. A visit with the owner and the ultimate end result of the owner leaving them intensifies stress levels which can result in a lack of appetite, depression, aggression and other behaviors that may induce illness and mirror symptoms.
You can attempt to reduce stress in the confined animal by asking the owner to leave the pet's bed, toy, clothing of the owner, it's regular diet and other items to make the animal's stay as comfortable as you can. These requests can also calm an owner and instill a higher sense of trust when you take their pet away.
If the pet has an expired or no history of other preventative vaccines they have a high risk of contracting disease in the animal shelter. It is not recommended that animals receive other vaccinations or new medications while in confinement.
When the confinement period expires, the animal should be vaccinated against rabies before leaving the facility.
The animal currently vaccinated against rabies may be allowed confinement at the owner's home dependent on the following and health director approval:
§130A‑197. Management of dogs, cats, and ferrets exposed to rabies.
Your investigations will provide scenarios where you will have a reasonable suspicion that a dog, cat or ferret has been exposed to a rabid animal.
Some examples of situations where pets may have had contact with a known rabies vector are; a killed vector found in a pet's yard, house or other living area, a cat capturing bats, dogs used in hunting vectors and other situations where the pet comes into contact with a vector's saliva or brain tissue.
There will be times you will not have a rabies vector. Wild animals run and fly away, they may die in remote areas, other animals take them away or eat them and wild animals are elusive. Use the information you gather during your investigation to make a decision whether the pet in question may have been exposed. You can not be too safe, rabies has only one outcome, death.
If the animal is captured, it may be difficult to identify the particular animal as the one who provided the exposure.
The raccoon, fox and bat are primary vectors and the suspicion an animal came into contact with any one of these animals can justify reasonable suspicion.
If the pet is reasonably suspected of being exposed, immediate confinement is the best course of action while documentation is obtained.
Options for exposed animals:
Current or have a history of past rabies vaccinations:
No vaccination history:
§130A‑198. Confinement.
An owner of an animal who believes the animal came into contact with a rabies vector or who has bitten a person must report the incident. This statute supports §130A‑197 to confine an animal for 10 days and leaves discretion to the Public Health Veterinarian for animals such as livestock.
The file below is a chart you can quickly refer to when evaluating confinement and observation.
As an animal officer you will use this statute extensively.
When a dog, cat or ferret (required to be vaccinated) bites a person, it must be reported immediately to the Health Director by the victim, parent or guardian and/or the owner of the animal within 24 hours providing the
- Name of victim
- Owner the animal
- Physicians must also report the sex of the person.
If a physician's office is not the reporting party, certify there has been an actual bite.
A photograph of the injury can be kept on file if you must qualify the injury.
As an animal officer, you are, in all probability, the designee of the Health Director in rabies control issues and you will receive the reports.
All jurisdictions differ, you may receive a report from the Health Director that someone has been bitten. You may receive reports from day cares, hospitals, veterinarians, 911 and other sources.
In any or all cases, the Health Director must receive a report.
As rabies is a communicable disease, Chapter 7 sub chapter Communicable Disease – Reporting contains the statutes describing all who are to report a bite.
Confinement of the biting animal is the first priority to isolate the rabies virus if present.
The first action in disease control is to isolate the agent.
The officer shall make attempts to locate the animal.
If the animal is a stray or feral or an owner cannot be found in 72 hours, the Health Director may order it’s destruction and rabies testing. This is generally performed as a result of a request to the Health Director from the animal officer.
Dependent on the circumstances the animal will probably be the minimum of 10 days according to (b) Confinement.
Note the exception for K9 officers.
Home confinement varies throughout the state dependent on the Health Director’s instructions. We will discuss this in depth further in this section.
The Confined Pet
If the animal is not currently vaccinated it should be impounded at the animal shelter or a veterinary clinic and observed for signs of illness. As we discussed earlier most dogs will demonstrate signs of illness within 4 days. Cats may demonstrate later but both species must be confined and observed for 10 days.
These animals are housed in a separate area and should not have contact with other people asides the staff caring for them.
Many owners will ask to visit their pets, it is advised you deny the request. When pet animals are confined in strange surroundings, stress is at high levels, especially with dogs and cats who are extremely bonded to the owners. A visit with the owner and the ultimate end result of the owner leaving them intensifies stress levels which can result in a lack of appetite, depression, aggression and other behaviors that may induce illness and mirror symptoms.
You can attempt to reduce stress in the confined animal by asking the owner to leave the pet's bed, toy, clothing of the owner, it's regular diet and other items to make the animal's stay as comfortable as you can. These requests can also calm an owner and instill a higher sense of trust when you take their pet away.
If the pet has an expired or no history of other preventative vaccines they have a high risk of contracting disease in the animal shelter. It is not recommended that animals receive other vaccinations or new medications while in confinement.
When the confinement period expires, the animal should be vaccinated against rabies before leaving the facility.
The animal currently vaccinated against rabies may be allowed confinement at the owner's home dependent on the following and health director approval:
- The animal is normal and healthy
- The animal is currently vaccinated against rabies.
- The bite was provoked.
- The animal has no history of past bite incidents
- The owner agrees to confine the animal at all times, supervise in fenced yard area or leash-walk
- The owner agrees to isolate the animal from people (except the immediate family) and other animals
- The animal will not be vaccinated nor given new medications
- The animal shall be monitored daily for changes in behavior or health and agrees to notify animal control if any changes or death occurs
- The animal officer is allowed visits and a final examination
§130A‑197. Management of dogs, cats, and ferrets exposed to rabies.
Your investigations will provide scenarios where you will have a reasonable suspicion that a dog, cat or ferret has been exposed to a rabid animal.
Some examples of situations where pets may have had contact with a known rabies vector are; a killed vector found in a pet's yard, house or other living area, a cat capturing bats, dogs used in hunting vectors and other situations where the pet comes into contact with a vector's saliva or brain tissue.
There will be times you will not have a rabies vector. Wild animals run and fly away, they may die in remote areas, other animals take them away or eat them and wild animals are elusive. Use the information you gather during your investigation to make a decision whether the pet in question may have been exposed. You can not be too safe, rabies has only one outcome, death.
If the animal is captured, it may be difficult to identify the particular animal as the one who provided the exposure.
The raccoon, fox and bat are primary vectors and the suspicion an animal came into contact with any one of these animals can justify reasonable suspicion.
If the pet is reasonably suspected of being exposed, immediate confinement is the best course of action while documentation is obtained.
Options for exposed animals:
Current or have a history of past rabies vaccinations:
- Veterinary examination and necessary wound cleansing
- Immediate confinement at owner's home
- Observation for 45 days
No vaccination history:
- Euthanasia and rabies testing submission
- Immediate strict confinement
- Vaccinate against rabies within 96 hours of the exposure
- Observation period of 4 months
- Observation period of 6 month period for ferrets, dogs and cats not vaccinated within the 96 hour time period
§130A‑198. Confinement.
An owner of an animal who believes the animal came into contact with a rabies vector or who has bitten a person must report the incident. This statute supports §130A‑197 to confine an animal for 10 days and leaves discretion to the Public Health Veterinarian for animals such as livestock.
The file below is a chart you can quickly refer to when evaluating confinement and observation.
| nasphvrabiescomp_chart_2016.pdf |
§130A‑199. Rabid animals to be destroyed; heads to be sent to State Laboratory of Public Health.
Brain tissue is used to test for rabies. If an animal under rabies confinement should die, it must be tested.
Animals in rabies confinement must be kept away from other animals, the public and unnecessary staff in the facility. The general public should not have any contact with these animals. The owner of the animal can visit but this is not advised.
The heads of dogs and cats are removed at the shelter or a veterinary office and submitted to the State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh. Most jurisdictions submit the rabies specimen to the Health Department who will have the specimen shipped via the state courier service.
There are occasions when you may feel it is necessary to test a wild animal, especially if the animal has exposed a human or animal. Wild animals can be also be tested.
The laboratory specimen submission form is below.
Brain tissue is used to test for rabies. If an animal under rabies confinement should die, it must be tested.
Animals in rabies confinement must be kept away from other animals, the public and unnecessary staff in the facility. The general public should not have any contact with these animals. The owner of the animal can visit but this is not advised.
The heads of dogs and cats are removed at the shelter or a veterinary office and submitted to the State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh. Most jurisdictions submit the rabies specimen to the Health Department who will have the specimen shipped via the state courier service.
There are occasions when you may feel it is necessary to test a wild animal, especially if the animal has exposed a human or animal. Wild animals can be also be tested.
The laboratory specimen submission form is below.
| rabies_specimen_submission_form.pdf |
§130A-200. Confinement or leashing of vicious animals.
Many ordinances include this authority for animals causing “bodily harm”. which generally is a result of a bite. Animals can also cause harm by tripping or jumping on people. An important element of this statute is the lack of definition for "provoked". Defining "provocation" is highly subjective. Additionally, the health director must be convinced the animal was or was not provoked.
To come to a conclusion one must have at least a general knowledge of the incident, abnormal and normal animal behavior, the person(s) involved and environmental factors. There is a wide array of other factors that would provoke an animal to bite and reports should be considered case by case.
Reports of animal bites may arise later when victims or animal owners challenge the other party in a civil matter and your office contacted.
There are numerous civil cases regarding animal bite injuries.
Provocation factors can be:
Interfering with young
Startling or scaring
Aggressive handling, striking
Intentionally inciting protective behaviors
Human behavior such as staring down a dog that incites the fight response
Provoke: To incite another to do something.
§130A-201. Rabies Emergency.
Protocol for the Health Director is clear in this statute.
The North Carolina Rabies Control Manual provides valuable information, regulations and resources for rabies control and is a must read for rabies and animal control officers.
Many ordinances include this authority for animals causing “bodily harm”. which generally is a result of a bite. Animals can also cause harm by tripping or jumping on people. An important element of this statute is the lack of definition for "provoked". Defining "provocation" is highly subjective. Additionally, the health director must be convinced the animal was or was not provoked.
To come to a conclusion one must have at least a general knowledge of the incident, abnormal and normal animal behavior, the person(s) involved and environmental factors. There is a wide array of other factors that would provoke an animal to bite and reports should be considered case by case.
Reports of animal bites may arise later when victims or animal owners challenge the other party in a civil matter and your office contacted.
There are numerous civil cases regarding animal bite injuries.
Provocation factors can be:
Interfering with young
Startling or scaring
Aggressive handling, striking
Intentionally inciting protective behaviors
Human behavior such as staring down a dog that incites the fight response
Provoke: To incite another to do something.
§130A-201. Rabies Emergency.
Protocol for the Health Director is clear in this statute.
The North Carolina Rabies Control Manual provides valuable information, regulations and resources for rabies control and is a must read for rabies and animal control officers.
Assessment 3
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