SECTION 310:599-3-1. Management of dogs, cats, or ferrets that bite a person

(a)   Any person or entity owning, harboring, or keeping a dog, cat or ferret which in the preceding ten (10) days has bitten any person, shall upon receipt of written notice by the local animal control authority or Department designee, place such animal in quarantine under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian for a period of ten (10) days from the date the person was bitten. The impoundment and observation of the dog, cat, or ferret shall be conducted at the veterinarian's facility, or a recognized animal control facility. Unvaccinated animals shall be vaccinated against rabies on the final day of the ten (10) day observation period prior to discharge from the veterinarian's supervision.

(b)   Exceptions to this rule include the following circumstances:

(1)   Dogs, cats, or ferrets involved in a first party ownership may be allowed to be placed in a home quarantine for a ten (10) day period immediately following the bite.

(2)   Dogs, cats, and ferrets meeting the criteria of currently vaccinated against rabies, and not inflicting a severe injury, shall be placed in a home quarantine until the end of a 10 day period from the bite. In some instances, a certification of animal health obtained after examination by a licensed veterinarian on the tenth day may be required by the Department or local animal control authority.

(3)   Animals in service to the blind or hearing-impaired, and search and rescue dogs or other animals used for police enforcement duties shall be exempt from the quarantine when a bite exposure occurs and proper record of immunization against rabies is presented. A certification of animal health obtained after examination by a licensed veterinarian at the end of 10 days may be required by the Department.

(4)   Stray or unwanted dogs, cats, or ferrets that have bitten any person may either be quarantined for ten (10) days at a veterinary facility or a recognized animal control facility; or immediately euthanized and the brain tissue submitted to the Oklahoma State Department of Health Public Health Laboratory for rabies testing. Upon successful completion of the ten (10) day period, a stray animal may be placed for adoption at the discretion of the animal control authority.

(5)   Dogs, cats, and ferrets that bite a veterinarian or staff member under their supervision during a routine examination or elective procedure may be considered eligible for home quarantine if the bite victim and owner agree the animal will be examined by a licensed veterinarian at the end of the ten (10) day period from the bite to confirm the animal's health status.

(6)   In rare instances, other good and valid health reasons of the owner or animal may be considered for justification to home quarantine (e.g., a bitch with a litter of very young puppies, an animal with a contagious disease, etc.). Approval for home quarantine will be determined by the Department or its designee.

[Source: Added at 14 Ok Reg 3581, eff 7-18-97 (emergency); Added at 15 Ok Reg 2367, eff 6-11-98; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 2945, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 34 Ok Reg 1290, eff 10-1-17]