864

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 21

"Public health veterinarian" § 18-312
18-316. REPORTS OF POSSIBLE RABIES CASES.

(A)  REPORT REQUIRED.

(1)  EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS
SUBSECTION, AN INDIVIDUAL IMMEDIATELY SHALL REPORT TO THE
LOCAL POLICE OR SHERIFF IF THE INDIVIDUAL:

(I)  KNOWS THAT A DOG, CAT, OR OTHER WARM
BLOODED ANIMAL HAS BITTEN, SCRATCHED, OR OTHERWISE EXPOSED
AN INDIVIDUAL TO A POSSIBLE RABIES INFECTION; OR

(II)  SUSPECTS THAT AN ANIMAL HAS RABIES.

(2) IN FREDERICK COUNTY, THE INDIVIDUAL SHALL
REPORT TO THE ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER OF FREDERICK COUNTY.

(B)  DUTIES OF POLICE, SHERIFF, OR ANIMAL CONTROL
CENTER.

ON RECEIPT OF A REPORT UNDER THIS SECTION, THE POLICE,
SHERIFF, OR ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER STAFF SHALL:

(1) NOTIFY THE HEALTH OFFICER FOR THE COUNTY
WHERE THE REPORT IS MADE; AND

(2)  ENFORCE ALL ORDERS OF THE HEALTH OFFICER AND
THE PUBLIC HEALTH VETERINARIAN.

(C)  PENALTY.

A PERSON WHO FAILS OR REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH ANY
PROVISION OF THIS SECTION OR ANY ORDER ISSUED UNDER THIS
SECTION IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND ON CONVICTION IS
SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $500.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived
without substantive change from former Article
43, § 615C(a) and (c).

In subsection (a) of this section, the former
references to the means of reporting are deleted
as unnecessary.

In subsection (b)(2) of this section, the former
references to "any other applicable rabies
control regulations" are deleted as superfluous.

Former Article 43, § 615C(b), which required
rabies control measures to conform to rules and
regulations of the Secretary, is deleted in light
of the broad powers of the Secretary to institute
rabies control under § 18-313 of this subtitle.