58:1 Rabies Vaccinations Protocols. Amend RSA 436:106, I(b) to read as follows:

(b) If the owner is unwilling to destroy the dog, cat, or ferret, strict isolation of the dog, cat, or ferret, in a kennel under veterinary supervision and in cooperation with the local authorities, for a minimum of 6 months shall be enforced. A dog or cat shall be held in quarantine for a minimum of 4 months. A ferret shall be held in quarantine for a minimum of 6 months. The dog, cat, or ferret shall be vaccinated against rabies 30 days prior to completion of the 6-month impoundment. Any illness in the dog, cat, or ferret during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The expense of vaccination shall be paid in advance by the owner, and the expense of impoundment shall be paid monthly in advance by the owner. In case of default in payment, the local authority may euthanize the dog, cat, or ferret after a 10-day grace period and the head shall be sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The expense of euthanizing the dog, cat, or ferret, for disposal of the remains, and for preparing and shipping the head, shall be the responsibility of the owner.

58:2 New Paragraph; Unvaccinated Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets Bit by Rabid Animals. Amend RSA 436:106 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:

I-a. Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets with Documentation of Expired Vaccination. In the case of dogs, cats, and ferrets in which prior vaccination is documented but has expired and which have been bitten by a known rabid animal or have had a nonbite exposure, the dog, cat, or ferret which was bitten or exposed to rabies shall be handled as follows:

(a) The dog, cat, or ferret shall be immediately revaccinated and confined for a period of 45 days following revaccination. Any illness in the dog, cat, or ferret during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The owner of the dog, cat, or ferret shall be responsible for any expense incurred. The type of confinement shall be at the discretion of the local authority. At the completion of confinement, the dog, cat, or ferret shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian and released if found by said veterinarian to be free of any signs of rabies.

(b) If the dog, cat, or ferret is not revaccinated within 96 hours of the exposure, strict isolation of the dog, cat, or ferret, in a kennel under veterinary supervision and in cooperation with the local authorities shall be enforced. A dog or cat shall be held in quarantine for a minimum of 4 months. A ferret shall be held in quarantine for a minimum of 6 months. The dog, cat, or ferret shall be vaccinated against rabies 30 days prior to completion of the impoundment. Any illness in the dog, cat, or ferret during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The expense of vaccination shall be paid in advance by the owner, and the expense of impoundment shall be paid monthly in advance by the owner. In case of default in payment, the local authority may euthanize the dog, cat, or ferret after a 10-day grace period and the head shall be sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The expense of euthanizing the dog, cat, or ferret, for disposal of the remains, and for preparing and shipping the head, shall be the responsibility of the owner.

58:3 Vaccinated Companion Animals Bitten by Rabid Animals. Amend RSA 436:106, II(a) to read as follows:

(a) The dog, cat, or ferret shall be immediately revaccinated and confined for a period of 90 45 days following revaccination. Any illness in the dog, cat, or ferret during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The owner of the dog, cat, or ferret shall be responsible for any expense incurred. The type of confinement shall be at the discretion of the local authority. At the completion of confinement, the dog, cat, or ferret shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian and released if found by said veterinarian to be free of any signs of rabies.

58:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: June 02, 2017

Effective Date: August 01, 2017

58:1 Rabies Vaccinations Protocols. Amend RSA 436:106, I(b) to read as follows:

(b) If the owner is unwilling to destroy the dog, cat, or ferret, strict isolation of the dog, cat, or ferret, in a kennel under veterinary supervision and in cooperation with the local authorities shall be enforced. A dog or cat shall be held in quarantine for a minimum of 4 months. A ferret shall be held in quarantine for a minimum of 6 months. The dog, cat, or ferret shall be vaccinated against rabies 30 days prior to completion of the impoundment. Any illness in the dog, cat, or ferret during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The expense of vaccination shall be paid in advance by the owner, and the expense of impoundment shall be paid monthly in advance by the owner. In case of default in payment, the local authority may euthanize the dog, cat, or ferret after a 10-day grace period and the head shall be sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The expense of euthanizing the dog, cat, or ferret, for disposal of the remains, and for preparing and shipping the head, shall be the responsibility of the owner.

58:2 New Paragraph; Unvaccinated Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets Bit by Rabid Animals. Amend RSA 436:106 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:

I-a. Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets with Documentation of Expired Vaccination. In the case of dogs, cats, and ferrets in which prior vaccination is documented but has expired and which have been bitten by a known rabid animal or have had a nonbite exposure, the dog, cat, or ferret which was bitten or exposed to rabies shall be handled as follows:

(a) The dog, cat, or ferret shall be immediately revaccinated and confined for a period of 45 days following revaccination. Any illness in the dog, cat, or ferret during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The owner of the dog, cat, or ferret shall be responsible for any expense incurred. The type of confinement shall be at the discretion of the local authority. At the completion of confinement, the dog, cat, or ferret shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian and released if found by said veterinarian to be free of any signs of rabies.

(b) If the dog, cat, or ferret is not revaccinated within 96 hours of the exposure, strict isolation of the dog, cat, or ferret, in a kennel under veterinary supervision and in cooperation with the local authorities shall be enforced. A dog or cat shall be held in quarantine for a minimum of 4 months. A ferret shall be held in quarantine for a minimum of 6 months. The dog, cat, or ferret shall be vaccinated against rabies 30 days prior to completion of the impoundment. Any illness in the dog, cat, or ferret during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The expense of vaccination shall be paid in advance by the owner, and the expense of impoundment shall be paid monthly in advance by the owner. In case of default in payment, the local authority may euthanize the dog, cat, or ferret after a 10-day grace period and the head shall be sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The expense of euthanizing the dog, cat, or ferret, for disposal of the remains, and for preparing and shipping the head, shall be the responsibility of the owner.

58:3 Vaccinated Companion Animals Bitten by Rabid Animals. Amend RSA 436:106, II(a) to read as follows:

(a) The dog, cat, or ferret shall be immediately revaccinated and confined for a period of 45 days following revaccination. Any illness in the dog, cat, or ferret during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. The owner of the dog, cat, or ferret shall be responsible for any expense incurred. The type of confinement shall be at the discretion of the local authority. At the completion of confinement, the dog, cat, or ferret shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian and released if found by said veterinarian to be free of any signs of rabies.

58:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: June 02, 2017

Effective Date: August 01, 2017