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, the
veterinarian 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 vaccinated
according to rules adopted by the board. The board may adopt
additional rules for documenting rabies vaccinations and for the
identification 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 against
rabies in any county, township, city, or town, or a designated part of
any county, township, city, or town whenever the state veterinarian
finds that rabies exist in the area to the extent that the health or lives
of individuals or domestic animals are endangered.
(b) If a quarantine has been declared, the owner or caretaker of an
animal 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 state
veterinarian, for the impounding and care of animals as
provided in this chapter.
(c) A quarantine order may specify the circumstances and
conditions under which an owner may remove animals from the
owner'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 veterinarian
may order any animal, species of animal, or group of animals in the
quarantined area vaccinated within a period stipulated in the order.
The owner of the animal shall pay the cost of the antirabies
immunization. However, local health departments or political
subdivisions of government may furnish antirabies immunization
without charge to owners who are unable to pay for the
immunization.
(b) If an order for a rabies vaccination is made, any animal within
the quarantined area whose owner refuses to have the owner's animal
vaccinated shall be seized and disposed of by the state veterinarian,
the state veterinarian's representative, or any person having police
power 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 section
3 of this chapter:
(1) the state veterinarian shall give notice of the order to the
county health officer of the county within which the
quarantined 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 county
containing an area quarantined under section 2 of this chapter shall
furnish a suitable area or quarters:
(1) for the impounding and care of animals that may be
impounded 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, the
state veterinarian shall send an agent or employee into the area to
assist the local health officers in the development of a program to
control rabies in that area and assist the local law enforcement
officers 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 a
quarantine declared under section 2 of this chapter may be
impounded as provided in the quarantine order, in the area or
quarters provided by the board of county commissioners. During the
quarantine period the owner may obtain possession of the animal by
doing all of the following:
(1) Paying the expenses of the animal's board and all tax or
license fees that are due and unpaid on the animal.
(2) Having the animal vaccinated and paying for the vaccination
or furnishing evidence that the animal was vaccinated during
the previous twelve (12) months.
(3) Paying the impounding fee fixed by the board of county
commissioners.
(b) An animal not redeemed under subsection (a) shall be
disposed of in a manner prescribed by the local health officer having
jurisdiction.
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 veterinarian
under 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 without
appropriation unless there are funds regularly appropriated to operate
the 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 this
chapter, all animals brought into a quarantined area, except for
exhibition purposes where animals are confined and not permitted to
run at large, are subject to the same requirements as animals already
located 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 destroy
an 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 section
11 of this chapter.
(b) A law enforcement officer or other authorized individual shall
impound an animal that is subject to quarantine or confinement under
this chapter if a statement is provided to the officer or authorized
individual that states that the animal has broken quarantine or
confinement. 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 suspected
owner of the animal, if known.
(c) When possible, the authorized individual or agency contacted
under this section shall give written notice to the owner or suspected
owner of the animal upon impounding and before destroying the
animal.
(d) All costs incurred by a local government relating to the
impoundment of an animal under subsection (b) shall be paid by the
owner 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 this
chapter, the state veterinarian, the local health officer having
jurisdiction, or an individual designated by the state veterinarian or
the local health officer having jurisdiction may do the following:
(1) Order the confinement and destruction of an animal showing
clinical symptoms of rabies for laboratory diagnosis.
(2) Order the confinement of an animal suspected of having
rabies.
(3) Order the confinement of an animal that has potentially
exposed an individual to rabies.
(4) Order the confinement and destruction of an animal that has
potentially exposed an individual to rabies.
(b) Whenever possible, the state veterinarian or local health
officer exercising authority under this section shall give written
notice 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) must
be:
(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 designated
by 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 animal
suspected or known to have rabies may be:
(1) confined for not more than twelve (12) months at the
owner's expense; or
(2) destroyed.
(e) Whenever informed that an animal subject to an order of
quarantine or an order of destruction or confinement under
subsection (a) is running at large, the official who issued the order or
the official's designee shall investigate the status of the animal. If the
investigating official is given a statement that complies with section
10(b) of this chapter, the investigating official may order the animal
impounded and, if necessary, provide the statement to a law
enforcement 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 this
chapter is an emergency order.
(b) Notwithstanding IC 4-21.5-4-5(a)(3), an emergency order
issued 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 health
officers shall cooperate with the state veterinarian in the rabies
control 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 or
prohibiting municipal ordinances on rabies control or divesting
municipalities of existing rights or powers related to rabies control
that are not in conflict with this chapter.
As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.