A.
The standards for rabies control provided for in the Health-General
Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 18, Subtitle 3, Part III,
and COMAR 10.06.02, Communicable Diseases — Rabies, shall be
recognized in Cecil County.
B.
All dogs, cats and ferrets over the age of four months shall be immunized
against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. The owner shall be able
to provide proof of a current rabies vaccine upon request.
C.
A report of the circumstances wherein a person is bitten by an animal
shall be made promptly to the local police or Sheriff's Department
by every person having firsthand knowledge of the bite occurrence,
and the report shall be forwarded to both the Health Department and
the Animal Care and Control Authority. The local police or Sheriff's
Department shall investigate the incident and carry out the orders
of the Cecil County Health Department. The local police, Sheriff's
Department or County Health Department may call upon the Animal Care
and Control Authority to catch, remove, confine or impound the animal.
The animal shall be confined at a private residence, any animal shelter,
veterinary hospital or a humane organization shelter approved by the
Health Officer at the owner's option and expense.
D.
If proof of current rabies vaccinations cannot be provided within
48 hours, a per-animal fine will be assessed. Prior to the release
from confinement, said animal will receive a rabies vaccination administered
by a licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense. The owner
of the dog will also be required to purchase a dog license at this
time.
E.
If any unvaccinated animal bites a human or domestic animal, it shall
immediately be quarantined or processed for rabies.
F.
Persons bringing any animal that is required by state law to have
a rabies vaccination into the County will have readily available,
as proof of vaccination, a valid rabies vaccination certificate signed
by a licensed veterinarian or issued by an approved government agency.
An owner of an animal without a valid rabies vaccination shall be
given up to 48 hours to provide a current, valid rabies certificate
for that animal. Animals without valid rabies vaccination certificates
shall be impounded and/or vaccinated by a licensed Maryland veterinarian
at the owner's expense. Animals which may have had exposure to
rabies shall comply with the provisions set forth in this section
of this chapter.
G.
Dogs brought into the County for training will be exempt from licensing
for no more than 45 days, but shall meet the rabies vaccination requirements
of this chapter.
H.
Rescue operations that are qualified as an IRS-defined nonprofit
organization shall vaccinate each dog for rabies. However, such organizations
are not required to individually license each dog due to the transient
nature of the animals.
I.
A rabies tag shall only be worn by the dog for which the corresponding
rabies certificate is issued.
Any hospital or physician who treats an individual for an animal
bite shall immediately telephone and report the incident to the local
police or Sheriff's Department and to the Cecil County Health
Department. An animal bite report form shall be completed as required
by COMAR 10.06.02.05B.
A.
It shall be the duty of every veterinarian to report to the Health
Officer and the Animal Care and Control Authority any animal considered
to be rabid or rabies suspect.
B.
When an animal is presented to a veterinarian for euthanasia and
rabies is not suspected, the veterinarian shall determine if the animal
was involved in a human bite (COMAR 10.06.02.13) and, if so, report
the animal bite (COMAR 10.06.02.05). If the veterinarian determines
that the animal cannot be safely or humanely quarantined for 10 days
and euthanasia is performed, then the Health Officer, or its designee,
shall be notified to arrange for submission of the animal for rabies
testing.
