330 CMR 10.00 — Prevention of the spread of rabies

330 CMR: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

330 CMR 10.00: PREVENTION OF THE SPREAD OF RABIES

Section 10.01: Definitions 10.02: Rabies Vaccinations Required for Dogs, Cats and Ferrets 10.03: Vaccination Certificates 10.04: Reporting Exposures 10.05: Requirements for Any Domestic Animal which Bites a Human or Another Domestic Animal 10.06: Requirements for Any Domestic Animals which are Exposed 10.07: Expense of Quarantines and Testing 10.08: Inspections 10.09: Collection of Samples 10.10: Record Keeping

330 CMR 10.00 Prevention of the spread of rabies

10.01 Definitions

10.01: Definitions As used in 330 CMR 10.00: Animal Inspector. A municipal Animal Inspector nominated under M.G.L. c. 129 § 15 and approved by the Department. Currently Vaccinated. A domestic animal which has received a properly administered Rabies vaccine licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for use in that species, and within a timeframe consistent with the labeled duration of the product. Department. The Department of Agricultural Resources. Euthanasia. Induction of death in an animal in a manner that is as rapid, painless and stress-free as possible and is consistent with the current American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of animals, and in accordance with Massachusetts General Law. Exposed. Exposed by Direct Contact, Exposed by Proximity or received a Wound of Unknown Origin. Exposed by Direct Contact. Physical contact with, received a bite or scratch from, or ate any part of a confirmed or suspected rabid animal. Exposed by Proximity. Seen near or in the vicinity of a confirmed rabid animal, but which had no physical contact with nor received any wounds from the confirmed rabid animal. Isolation. Restricting a domestic animal from any direct human or other animal contact; confining the animal to a facility such as a shelter, veterinary hospital, commercial kennel or Quarantine facility for livestock approved by the Animal Inspector of the appropriate municipality; or isolation at home under conditions approved by the Animal Inspector of the municipality and the Department. Not Currently Vaccinated. Any previously vaccinated animal which has not been revaccinated prior to the expiration of its most recent vaccination; Quarantine. Confinement of a domestic animal from humans and other animals for the purposes of observing the animal for signs of Rabies and minimizing chances of the animal spreading Rabies to humans and other animals. This includes Isolation and Strict Confinement. Rabies. A disease of mammals, virtually always fatal, caused by the Rabies Virus and characterized by progressive deterioration of the central nervous system. Rabies Virus. A virus, belonging to the family Rhabdoviridae, in the genus Lyssavirus, with multiple variants. State Laboratory. The Massachusetts State Public Health Rabies Laboratory.

330 CMR: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

10.01 continued

10.01: continued Strict Confinement. Maintenance of a domestic animal in an escape-proof, solid-walled building with a roof, approved by the Animal Inspector of the municipality. The animal may be leash walked by an adult or under the direct supervision of an adult. Ten Day Quarantine. Strict Confinement of an apparently healthy domestic animal that has bitten or scratched a human or other domestic animal. Unvaccinated. Any domestic animal which has never received a licensed United States Department of Agriculture Rabies vaccine labeled for use in that species; any animal which is within 28 days of having received its first Rabies vaccine; or, any animal of a species for which there is no licensed USDA Rabies vaccine Wound of Unknown Origin. A puncture wound, cut or scratch which has broken the skin and was obtained from an unknown source but is presumed to be from another animal.

10.02 Rabies Vaccinations Required for Dogs, Cats and Ferrets

10.02: Rabies Vaccinations Required for Dogs, Cats and Ferrets (1) Any person possessing a dog, cat or ferret shall have the animal vaccinated against Rabies by a licensed veterinarian: (a) no later than six months of age but not earlier than is indicated on the vaccine label; or, (b) within 30 days of acquisition or entry into Massachusetts, if the animal is over six months of age, unless proof is available that the animal is already Currently Vaccinated. (2) A dog, cat or ferret shall be considered Currently Vaccinated effective 28 days after the date of initial vaccination, and for a period of one calendar year from the date of vaccination, in accordance with the vaccine label. Thereafter, all dogs, cats and ferrets shall continue to receive booster vaccinations at intervals according to the vaccine label. (3) An animal that has received at least one Rabies vaccine in its lifetime but, has not received a booster vaccination prior to the expiration date of its last Rabies vaccination, will be considered Currently Vaccinated immediately following administration of a Rabies vaccine and the vaccine will be good for the duration indicated on the product label. (4) An animal whose owner cannot provide proof of at least one previous Rabies vaccination will be considered Unvaccinated.

10.03 Vaccination Certificates

10.03: Vaccination Certificates (1) A certificate of vaccination must be completed. Only certificates of vaccination issued by the licensed veterinarian who administered the vaccine shall be considered proof of an animal's vaccination status. The certificate is a legal document and must be signed by the veterinarian administering the vaccine. Electronic signatures and stamps may be used. The vaccinating veterinarian is responsible for the accuracy of all information on the certificate. (2) The certificate shall be either the certificate recommended in the latest Compendium of Animal Rabies control published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, or a certificate containing at least the following information: the owner's name and address; a description of the animal, including predominant breed, sex, age, name and distinctive markings; date of vaccination; Rabies vaccination tag number; type of Rabies vaccine used; route of vaccination; expiration date of the vaccine; the vaccine lot number; and the name and signature of the veterinarian administering the vaccine. (3) One copy of the certificate shall be filed by the vaccinating veterinarian within 30 days with the clerk of the city or town where the dog, cat or ferret resides, one copy is to be provided to the owner of the animal, and one shall be retained by the vaccinating veterinarian. (4) No animal hospital, veterinarian's office, or boarding facility shall accept a dog, cat or ferret unless the owner or keeper of such animal can show proof of current vaccination against Rabies; if the animal has not been vaccinated or proof is not shown, the animal shall be vaccinated as long as the animal's medical condition permits.

330 CMR: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

10.04 Reporting Exposures

10.04: Reporting Exposures (1) Any person having knowledge of the following shall report immediately to the Animal Inspector in the municipality in which the exposure occurred, the date of the exposure, a description of the animal(s) involved, the current location of the animal or, if the current location is unknown, the place the animal was last seen, and the animal owner's name, if known: (a) The existence of a domestic animal which has been Exposed to the Rabies Virus, or (b) The existence of a domestic animal which has bitten or scratched another domestic animal or human. (2) The Animal Inspector shall, upon receiving such a report, investigate whether a human or a domestic animal has received a bite or scratch from a domestic animal or a domestic animal has been Exposed to the Rabies Virus. If so, the Animal Inspector shall determine whether the animal has been vaccinated, the type and date of vaccination, any unusual behavior of the animal and a list of other domestic animals or humans Exposed to the animal.

10.05 Requirements for Any Domestic Animal which Bites a Human or Another Domestic Animal

10.05: Requirements for Any Domestic Animal which Bites a Human or Another Domestic Animal (1) If the Animal Inspector, after completing an investigation, determines that a domestic animal has bitten or scratched a human or another domestic animal, they shall issue a written order to the person in custody of the biting animal requiring the animal to be placed under a Ten Day Quarantine. The Ten Day Quarantine applies regardless of the vaccination status of the biting animal. (2) If the animal displays symptoms compatible with Rabies during this ten-day period, the animal shall be euthanized immediately, and the Animal Inspector and Department shall be notified. Samples from any animal which dies or is euthanized during the Ten Day Quarantine, shall be submitted for Rabies testing as described in 330 CMR 10.09.

10.06 Requirements for Any Domestic Animals which are Exposed

10.06: Requirements for Any Domestic Animals which are Exposed The Animal Inspector, upon completion of an investigation and upon determination that a domestic animal has been Exposed, shall issue a written order to the person in custody of the Exposed animal requiring the following: (1) Exposed Domestic Animals that are Currently Vaccinated. The Animal Inspector shall require the immediate administration of a booster vaccination, if the animal's last vaccination was administered over one month prior to exposure, and the animal shall be placed under Strict Confinement for 45 days. (2) Dogs and Cats that are Not Currently Vaccinated but with Proof of at Least One Previous Rabies Vaccine. The Animal Inspector shall require the immediate administration of a booster vaccination, and the animal shall be placed under Strict Confinement for 45 days. (3) Exposed Domestic Animals that are Unvaccinated. The Animal Inspector shall request from the owner of the animal written permission to euthanize the animal. If the owner is unwilling to consent to Euthanasia, the Animal Inspector shall issue a written order to the person in custody of the animal requiring the following: (a) Any dog or cat Exposed by Direct Contact to a confirmed rabid animal, as determined by State Laboratory testing, shall be vaccinated immediately and placed into Isolation for a period of three months to be followed by one month of Strict Confinement. Any ferret Exposed by Direct Contact to a confirmed rabid animal, as determined by State Laboratory testing, shall be vaccinated immediately and placed into Isolation for a period of three months to be followed by three months of Strict Confinement. (b) Any domestic animal, other than a dog, cat or ferret Exposed by Direct Contact to a confirmed rabid animal, as determined by State Laboratory testing, shall be placed in Strict Confinement for six months. (c) Any dog or cat Exposed by Direct Contact to a suspected rabid animal, Exposed by Proximity to a confirmed rabid animal, as determined by State Laboratory testing, or which has received a Wound of Unknown Origin shall be vaccinated immediately and placed under Strict Confinement for a period of four months.

330 CMR: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

10.06 continued

10.06: continued (d) Any domestic animal, other than dogs or cats, Exposed by Direct Contact to a suspected rabid animal, Exposed by Proximity to a confirmed rabid animal, as determined by State Laboratory testing, or which has received a Wound of Unknown Origin shall be placed under Strict Confinement for a period of six months. (e) Any animal considered Unvaccinated because the first vaccination had been administered within the 28 days prior to exposure do not require revaccination. (4) The person in custody of the animal under Quarantine is required to immediately notify the Department, a veterinarian, the Animal Inspector and the Department of Public Health of any changes in behavior or health status of the animal, or if the animal is euthanized or dies for any reason during its Quarantine period. (5) Any veterinarian who euthanizes a domestic animal for any reason while the animal is under Quarantine must immediately notify the Animal Inspector of the appropriate municipality. Notification must be made prior to the disposal of the animal. (6) Upon determination that an order has been violated, the Animal Inspector shall recommend that the Department issue an order to seize and euthanize the animal and have the animal submitted to the State Laboratory for Rabies testing. (7) No animal shall be released from Quarantine without written authorization from the Department or the Animal Inspector. (8) The Animal Inspector shall carry out, or cause to be carried out, Euthanasia orders issued by the Department.

10.07 Expense of Quarantines and Testing

10.07: Expense of Quarantines and Testing The expense associated with Quarantine or Euthanasia will be the owner's responsibility. In situations where the animal has no owner, including wildlife, the city or town will be financially responsible for costs incurred.

10.08 Inspections

10.08: Inspections Animal Inspectors must approve the places where animals are Quarantined. All animals under Quarantine must be observed by the Animal Inspector on a regular basis.

10.09 Collection of Samples

10.09: Collection of Samples (1) Animal Inspectors shall ensure that samples are collected from any animal that dies or is euthanized if it has bitten or scratched a human or other domestic animal. Additionally, the Animal Inspector shall ensure that samples are collected from all animals which die or are euthanized for any reason during Quarantine. Samples shall be submitted to the State Laboratory for Rabies testing unless other arrangements have been made with the Department. (2) All samples shall be collected in accordance with the guidelines established by the Department and the State Laboratory.

10.10 Record Keeping

10.10: Record Keeping Each Animal Inspector shall maintain records of: (1) All inspections conducted; (2) All Quarantines issued and released; and

330 CMR: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

10.10 continued

10.10: continued (3) Disposition of animals that died or were euthanized while under Quarantine. Forms for 330 CMR 10.10(1) through (3) shall be provided by the Department, and the Animal Inspector shall submit these records to the Department by the last day of each month. REGULATORY AUTHORITY 330 CMR 10.00: M.G.L. c. 129, §§ 2, 3, 7, 11, 15, 18 through 21 and 28 and c. 140, § 145B.