HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2243

BY adding to

Article - Health - General

Section 18-320

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1982 Volume and 1983 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Health - General

18-320.

(A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (E) (D) OF THIS
SECTION, AN ANIMAL THAT BITES A HUMAN OR OTHERWISE EXPOSES A
HUMAN TO RABIES SHALL BE QUARANTINED IN A PLACE AND, WHICH MAY
INCLUDE THE RESIDENCE OF THE OWNER, IN THE MANNER PROVIDED
DESIGNATED BY THE LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER OR THE PUBLIC HEALTH
VETERINARIAN FOR AT LEAST 10 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE BITE A
SUITABLE PERIOD AS DETERMINED BY THE HEALTH OFFICER OR THE PUBLIC
HEALTH VETERINARIAN, BUT NOT TO EXCEED 30 DAYS.

(B) IF THE BITING ANIMAL DOES NOT POSE A SUBSTANTIAL RISK
OF RABIES INFECTION TO HUMANS OR ANIMALS, THE ANIMAL MAY BE
QUARANTINED N THE RESIDENCE OF ITS OWNER FOR AT LEAST 10 DAYS
AFTER THE DATE OF THE BITE.

(C) (B) (1) AT ANY TIME DURING THE QUARANTINE PERIOD, THE
PUBLIC HEALTH VETERINARIAN OR LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER MAY ORDER THE
OWNER OF A BITING ANIMAL TO HAVE THE ANIMAL EXAMINED MONITORED
FOR RABIES BY A LICENSED VETERINARIAN.

(2) THE OWNER OF THE ANIMAL SHALL PAY FOR THE COST OF
ANY EXAMINATION OR OTHER ASSOCIATED COST.

(D) (C) AN ANIMAL UNDER QUARANTINE MAY NOT BE MOVED FROM
THE PLACE OF QUARANTINE WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE
LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER OR PUBLIC HEALTH VETERINARIAN.

(E) (D) THE PUBLIC HEALTH VETERINARIAN OR LOCAL HEALTH
OFFICER MAY ORDER THE IMMEDIATE AND HUMANE DESTRUCTION OF A
BITING ANIMAL FOR RABIES TESTING IF:

(1)  IT IS NECESSARY TO PRESERVE HUMAN HEALTH;

(2)  A LICENSED VETERINARIAN DETERMINES THAT A
QUARANTINED ANIMAL IS INHUMANELY SUFFERING; OR

(3)  THE ANIMAL IS CONSIDERED WILD AND IS NOT CLAIMED
BY AN OWNER WITHIN 24 HOURS.