                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

RABID ANIMALS (§ 3.2-6522)

A. When there is sufficient reason to believe that the risk of exposure to
rabies is elevated, the governing body of any locality may enact, and the local
health director may recommend, an emergency ordinance that shall become
effective immediately upon passage, requiring owners of all dogs and cats
therein to keep the same confined on their premises unless leashed under
restraint of the owner in such a manner that persons or animals will not be
subject to the danger of being bitten by a rabid animal. Any such emergency
ordinance enacted pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be operative
for a period not to exceed 30 days unless renewed by the governing body of such
locality in consultation with the local health director. The governing body of
any locality shall also have the power and authority to pass ordinances
restricting the running at large in their respective jurisdiction of dogs and
cats that have not been inoculated or vaccinated against rabies and to provide
penalties for the violation thereof.

B. Any dog or cat showing active signs of rabies or suspected of having rabies
that is not known to have exposed a person, companion animal, or livestock to
rabies shall be confined under competent observation for such a time as may be
necessary to determine a diagnosis. The person confining such dog or cat shall
allow the local health director or his designee access to the animal during such
confinement. If, in the discretion of the local health director, confinement is
impossible or impracticable, such dog or cat shall be euthanized by one of the
methods approved by the State Veterinarian as provided in &#xA7; 3.2-6546. The
disposition of other animals showing active signs of rabies shall be determined
by the local health director and may include euthanasia and testing.

C. Every person having knowledge of the existence of an animal that is suspected
to be rabid and that may have exposed a person, companion animal, or livestock
to rabies shall report immediately to the local health department the existence
of such animal, the place where seen, the owner&#8217;s name, if known, and the
signs suggesting rabies.

D. Any dog or cat for which no proof of current rabies vaccination is available
and that may have been exposed to rabies through a bite, or through saliva or
central nervous system tissue, in a fresh open wound or mucous membrane, by an
animal suspected to be rabid shall be isolated in a public animal shelter,
kennel, or enclosure approved by the local health department for a period not to
exceed six months at the expense of the owner or custodian in a manner and by a
date certain as determined by the local health director. A rabies vaccination
shall be administered by a licensed veterinarian prior to release. Inactivated
rabies vaccine may be administered at the beginning of isolation. Any dog or cat
so bitten, or exposed to rabies through saliva or central nervous system tissue,
in a fresh open wound or mucous membrane with proof of current vaccination,
shall be revaccinated by a licensed veterinarian immediately following the
exposure and shall be confined to the premises of the owner or custodian, or
other site as may be approved by the local health department at the expense of
the owner or custodian, for a period of 45 days. If the local health director
determines that isolation is not feasible or maintained, such dog or cat shall
be euthanized by one of the methods approved by the State Veterinarian as
provided in &#xA7; 3.2-6546. The disposition of such dogs or cats not so
confined shall be at the discretion of the local health director. The local
health director or his designee shall be granted access to any dog or cat during
such isolation or confinement pursuant to this subsection.

E. At the discretion of the local health director, any animal that may have
exposed a person shall be confined under competent observation for 10 days at
the expense of the owner or custodian, unless the animal develops active signs
of rabies, expires, or is euthanized before that time. The person confining the
animal shall allow the local health director or his designee access to the
animal during such confinement. A seriously injured or sick animal may be
euthanized as provided in &#xA7; 3.2-6546. When determining whether a dog that
has bitten a person shall be so confined, the health director shall weigh any
proof that the dog has current certificates for both (i) rabies vaccination and
(ii) special training for police work, military work, or work as a first
responder.

F. When any suspected rabid animal, other than a dog or cat, exposes or may have
exposed a person to rabies through a bite, or through saliva or central nervous
system tissue, in a fresh open wound or mucous membrane, decisions regarding the
disposition of that animal shall be at the discretion of a local health director
and may include euthanasia as provided in &#xA7; 3.2-6546, or as directed by the
state agency with jurisdiction over that species. When any animal, other than a
dog or cat, is exposed or may have been exposed to rabies through a bite, or
through saliva or central nervous system tissue, in a fresh open wound or mucous
membrane, by an animal suspected to be rabid, decisions regarding the
disposition of that newly exposed animal shall be at the discretion of a local
health director. The local health director or his designee shall be granted
access to any animal, other than a dog or cat, during any isolation or
confinement of that animal, as may be directed by the local health director.

G. When any animal may have exposed a person to rabies and subsequently expires
due to illness or euthanasia, either within an observation period, where
applicable, or as part of a public health investigation, its head or brain shall
be sent to the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services of the Department of
General Services or be tested as directed by the local health department.

HISTORY: 1984, cc. 492, 527, § 29-213.68; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.98; 1988, c.
538; 1991, c. 380; 2003, c. 479; 2008, c. 860; 2010, c. 834; 2014, c. 148; 2018,
c. 93; 2023, c. 121.