Section 436:105 Impoundment of Dog Rabies Suspects. - New Hampshire Statutes

   I. Any dog displaying symptoms which indicate a likelihood that such dog is afflicted with rabies which has bitten a person and caused a puncture of the skin or which has caused a nonbite exposure shall be immediately euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. It shall be the responsibility of the owner for any expense for euthanizing the dog and for preparing the head for shipment to the public health laboratory. If the dog is a stray, the rabies control authority shall be responsible for the expense, and such expense shall be paid from fees collected under RSA 466:4 and 466:6.
   II. Any apparently healthy dog not vaccinated in accordance with RSA 436:100, or whose vaccination status is unknown which has bitten any person and caused a puncture of the skin or which has caused a nonbite exposure of such person, shall be seized and impounded under the supervision of the local authorities for a period of not less than 10 days. If, upon examination by a licensed veterinarian, the dog has no signs of rabies at the end of said impoundment, it may be released to the owner or, in the case of a stray, it shall be disposed of in accordance with applicable laws. Any illness in the dog during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the dog shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. It shall be the responsibility of the owner for any expense for the examination and for the impoundment of the dog. The owner shall also be responsible for any expense for euthanizing the dog and for preparing the head for shipment to the public health laboratory. If the dog is a stray, the rabies control authority shall be responsible for the expense, and such expense shall be paid from fees collected under RSA 466:4 and 466:6.
   III. Except as provided in RSA 436:105-b, any healthy dog vaccinated in accordance with RSA 436:100, which has bitten any person and caused a puncture of the skin or caused a nonbite exposure, shall be confined by the owner or other responsible person as required by local authorities for a period of 10 days, at which time the dog shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian. If no signs of rabies are observed by the veterinarian, the dog may be released from confinement. Any illness in the dog during confinement or before release shall be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the dog shall be euthanized and the head sent for examination to the public health laboratory, department of health and human services. It shall be the responsibility of the owner for any expense for the examination and for the impoundment of the dog. The owner shall also be responsible for any expense for euthanizing the dog and for preparing the head for shipment to the public health laboratory. If the dog is a stray, the rabies control authority shall be responsible for the expense incurred, and such expense shall be paid from fees collected under RSA 466:4 and RSA 466:6.

Source. 1985, 72:1. 1992, 250:8. 1993, 275:2. 1995, 310:181. 1996, 256:1, eff. June 10, 1996.