CHAPTER 6. RABIES
IC 15-17-6
Chapter 6. Rabies
IC 15-17-6-1
Rabies vaccination records
Sec. 1. (a) When an animal is vaccinated for rabies in Indiana, theveterinarian vaccinating the animal shall:
(1) make and keep a record of the vaccination; and
(2) give one (1) copy of the record to the owner of the animal.
(b) The vaccinated animal must be identified as vaccinatedaccording to rules adopted by the board. The board may adoptadditional rules for documenting rabies vaccinations and for theidentification of animals that have been vaccinated for rabies.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.
IC 15-17-6-2
Quarantine declaration
Sec. 2. (a) The state veterinarian may declare a quarantine againstrabies in any county, township, city, or town, or a designated part ofany county, township, city, or town whenever the state veterinarianfinds that rabies exist in the area to the extent that the health or livesof individuals or domestic animals are endangered.
(b) If a quarantine has been declared, the owner or caretaker of ananimal in the quarantine area shall confine the animal:
(1) on the premises of the owner; or
(2) in a suitable place, subject to the approval of the stateveterinarian, for the impounding and care of animals asprovided in this chapter.
(c) A quarantine order may specify the circumstances andconditions under which an owner may remove animals from theowner's premises or an impoundment facility.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.
IC 15-17-6-3
Vaccination order
Sec. 3. (a) If a quarantine has been declared, the state veterinarianmay order any animal, species of animal, or group of animals in thequarantined area vaccinated within a period stipulated in the order.The owner of the animal shall pay the cost of the antirabiesimmunization. However, local health departments or politicalsubdivisions of government may furnish antirabies immunizationwithout charge to owners who are unable to pay for theimmunization.
(b) If an order for a rabies vaccination is made, any animal withinthe quarantined area whose owner refuses to have the owner's animalvaccinated shall be seized and disposed of by the state veterinarian,the state veterinarian's representative, or any person having policepower within the quarantined area.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.
IC 15-17-6-4
Notice of vaccine order; duties of county health officer and sheriff
Sec. 4. (a) If the state veterinarian issues an order under section3 of this chapter:
(1) the state veterinarian shall give notice of the order to thecounty health officer of the county within which thequarantined area is located; and
(2) the county health officer shall:
(A) publish notice of the order as provided in IC 5-3-1; and
(B) deliver a copy of the order to the sheriff of the county.
(b) The sheriff shall assist in the enforcement of this chapter.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.
IC 15-17-6-5
Impounding area
Sec. 5. The board of county commissioners of each countycontaining an area quarantined under section 2 of this chapter shallfurnish a suitable area or quarters:
(1) for the impounding and care of animals that may beimpounded under this chapter; and
(2) that comply with the rules adopted by the board.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.
IC 15-17-6-6
State veterinarian assistance to local health officers
Sec. 6. If a quarantine has been declared under this chapter, thestate veterinarian shall send an agent or employee into the area toassist the local health officers in the development of a program tocontrol rabies in that area and assist the local law enforcementofficers in the enforcement of the quarantine requirements.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.
IC 15-17-6-7
Impoundment, release, and disposition of animals
Sec. 7. (a) An animal found running at large in violation of aquarantine declared under section 2 of this chapter may beimpounded as provided in the quarantine order, in the area orquarters provided by the board of county commissioners. During thequarantine period the owner may obtain possession of the animal bydoing all of the following:
(1) Paying the expenses of the animal's board and all tax orlicense fees that are due and unpaid on the animal.
(2) Having the animal vaccinated and paying for the vaccinationor furnishing evidence that the animal was vaccinated duringthe previous twelve (12) months.
(3) Paying the impounding fee fixed by the board of countycommissioners.
(b) An animal not redeemed under subsection (a) shall bedisposed of in a manner prescribed by the local health officer havingjurisdiction.As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.
IC 15-17-6-8
Expenses of impoundment
Sec. 8. Whenever a quarantine is declared by the state veterinarianunder section 2 of this chapter, the expense of operating a pound,including food for animals impounded and expense of personnel,shall be paid from the general fund of the county withoutappropriation unless there are funds regularly appropriated to operatethe pound.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.
IC 15-17-6-9
Requirements for animals in quarantine area
Sec. 9. Whenever a quarantine is declared under section 2 of thischapter, all animals brought into a quarantined area, except forexhibition purposes where animals are confined and not permitted torun at large, are subject to the same requirements as animals alreadylocated within the quarantined area.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.
IC 15-17-6-10
Loose animals; impoundment or destruction; notice; costs
Sec. 10. (a) A law enforcement officer shall impound or destroyan animal found running at large:
(1) during a quarantine ordered under section 2 of this chapter;or
(2) that is the subject of an order of confinement under section11 of this chapter.
(b) A law enforcement officer or other authorized individual shallimpound an animal that is subject to quarantine or confinement underthis chapter if a statement is provided to the officer or authorizedindividual that states that the animal has broken quarantine orconfinement. The statement must:
(1) be in writing;
(2) be given under oath;
(3) be signed by at least two (2) individuals; and
(4) include the name and address of the owner or suspectedowner of the animal, if known.
(c) When possible, the authorized individual or agency contactedunder this section shall give written notice to the owner or suspectedowner of the animal upon impounding and before destroying theanimal.
(d) All costs incurred by a local government relating to theimpoundment of an animal under subsection (b) shall be paid by theowner of the animal.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.
IC 15-17-6-11
Authority of state veterinarian and local health officer;
confinement and destruction of animals; investigation
Sec. 11. (a) If an order has not been issued under section 2 of thischapter, the state veterinarian, the local health officer havingjurisdiction, or an individual designated by the state veterinarian orthe local health officer having jurisdiction may do the following:
(1) Order the confinement and destruction of an animal showingclinical symptoms of rabies for laboratory diagnosis.
(2) Order the confinement of an animal suspected of havingrabies.
(3) Order the confinement of an animal that has potentiallyexposed an individual to rabies.
(4) Order the confinement and destruction of an animal that haspotentially exposed an individual to rabies.
(b) Whenever possible, the state veterinarian or local healthofficer exercising authority under this section shall give writtennotice to the owner or suspected owner of an animal:
(1) upon impounding; and
(2) before destroying;
the animal.
(c) The period of confinement ordered under subsection (a) mustbe:
(1) of at least ten (10) days duration;
(2) under the supervision of:
(A) the state veterinarian; or
(B) a licensed accredited veterinarian or a person designatedby the official exercising authority under this chapter; and
(3) at the expense of the owner.
(d) Any animal that has been bitten by a domestic or feral animalsuspected or known to have rabies may be:
(1) confined for not more than twelve (12) months at theowner's expense; or
(2) destroyed.
(e) Whenever informed that an animal subject to an order ofquarantine or an order of destruction or confinement undersubsection (a) is running at large, the official who issued the order orthe official's designee shall investigate the status of the animal. If theinvestigating official is given a statement that complies with section10(b) of this chapter, the investigating official may order the animalimpounded and, if necessary, provide the statement to a lawenforcement officer for action under section 10 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.
IC 15-17-6-12
Emergency order; nonexpiration
Sec. 12. (a) For purposes of IC 4-21.5, an order issued under thischapter is an emergency order.
(b) Notwithstanding IC 4-21.5-4-5(a)(3), an emergency orderissued under this chapter does not expire.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.
IC 15-17-6-13
Cooperation
Sec. 13. The state department of health and the local healthofficers shall cooperate with the state veterinarian in the rabiescontrol program.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.
IC 15-17-6-14
Local ordinances
Sec. 14. This chapter may not be construed as repealing orprohibiting municipal ordinances on rabies control or divestingmunicipalities of existing rights or powers related to rabies controlthat are not in conflict with this chapter.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.