§ 62-20. Rabid animals.

A. 

Dogs showing active signs of rabies or suspected of having rabies shall be confined under competent observation for such a time as may be necessary to determine a diagnosis. If confinement is impossible or impracticable, such dog shall be euthanized by one of the methods approved by the State Veterinarian as provided in § 3.1-796.96 of the Code of Virginia.

B. 

Every person having knowledge of the existence of an animal apparently afflicted with rabies shall report immediately to the local health department the existence of such animal, the place where seen, the owner's name, if known, and the symptoms suggesting rabies.

C. 

Any dog, for which no proof of current rabies vaccination is available and which is exposed to rabies through a bite, or through saliva or central nervous system tissue in a fresh open wound or mucous membrane by an animal believed to be afflicted with rabies, shall be confined in a pound, animal shelter, kennel or enclosure approved by the health department for a period not to exceed six months at the expense of the owner; however, if this is not feasible, the dog shall be euthanized by one of the methods approved by the State Veterinarian as provided in § 3.1-796.96 of the Code of Virginia. A rabies vaccination shall be administered prior to release. Inactivated rabies vaccine may be administered at the beginning of confinement. Any dog so bitten or exposed to rabies through saliva or central nervous system tissue in a fresh open wound or mucous membrane with proof of a valid rabies vaccination shall be revaccinated immediately following the bite and shall be confined to the premises of the owner, or other site as may be approved by the local health department, for a period of 90 days.

D. 

At the discretion of the director of a local health department, any animal which has bitten a person shall be confined under competent observation for 10 days, unless the animal develops active symptoms of rabies or expires before that time. A seriously injured or sick animal may be humanely euthanized as provided in § 3.1-796.96 of the Code of Virginia and its head sent to the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services of the Department of General Services, or the local health department for evaluation.

E. 

When any potentially rabid animal, other than a dog, exposes or may have exposed a person to rabies through a bite, or through saliva or central nervous system tissue in a fresh open wound or mucous membrane, that animal shall be confined at the discretion of a local health director in a manner approved by the health department or humanely euthanized as provided in § 3.1-796.96 of the Code of Virginia and its head sent to the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services of the Department of General Services or the local health department for evaluation.

F. 

When any animal, other than a dog, is exposed to rabies through a bite, or through saliva or central nervous system tissue in a fresh open wound or mucous membrane by an animal believed to be afflicted with rabies, that newly exposed animal shall be confined at the discretion of a local health director in a manner approved by the health department or humanely euthanized as provided in § 3.1-796.96 of the Code of Virginia.