Section 18-312 – “Public Health Veterinarian” Defined

    In Part III of this subtitle, “public health veterinarian” means the veterinarian whom the Secretary designates as responsible for the veterinary public health program of the Department.

Section 18-313 – Statewide System

    The Secretary of Health shall provide a statewide system:         (1)    To control rabies;         (2)    To grant authority to the public health veterinarian and the local health officer in matters pertaining to the disposition of animals that bite or otherwise expose rabies to an individual;         (3)    To assist local political subdivisions regarding the laboratory testing of rabid animals;         (4)    To […]

Section 18-314 – Preexposure Immunization

    The Department shall provide preexposure immunization, without charge, to any individual who provides rabies control services at the request of the Department.

Section 18-315 – Antirabies Clinics

    (a)    With the county health department for each county, the Department shall provide for an antirabies clinic in the county.     (b)    Each clinic shall be staffed by a graduate veterinarian.     (c)    The clinic for a county shall be offered on or before June 30 of each year, on the date and at the location that the Department and […]

Section 18-316 – Reports of Possible Rabies Cases

    (a)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an individual immediately shall report to the local police or sheriff if the individual:             (i)    Knows that a dog, cat, or other warm blooded animal has bitten, scratched, or otherwise exposed an individual to a possible rabies infection; or             (ii)    Suspects that an animal has rabies.         (2)    In Frederick […]

Section 18-317 – Cost of Treatment

    The Department shall pay the cost of any antirabies treatment that an individual requires, if the individual is unable to pay for the treatment.

Section 18-318 – Vaccinations — Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets

    (a)    Each person who owns or keeps a dog, cat, or ferret that is 4 months old or older shall have the dog, cat, or ferret vaccinated adequately against rabies.     (b)    (1)    A county may not register or license a dog, cat, or ferret unless the person who owns or keeps the dog, cat, or ferret submits, with […]

Section 18-319 – Vaccinations — Responsibilities of Veterinarian; Use of Records

    (a)    A licensed veterinarian who vaccinates a dog, cat, or ferret against rabies:         (1)    May select the vaccine to be used;         (2)    Shall administer the vaccine in a manner that is consistent with the recommendations of the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians;         (3)    Shall issue to the owner of the dog, cat, or ferret a vaccination certificate, […]

Section 18-320 – Animal Quarantine

    (a)    Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, an apparently healthy dog, cat, or ferret that has been adequately vaccinated against rabies in accordance with § 18-318 of this subtitle or any other animal that bites a human or otherwise exposes a human to rabies shall be quarantined as provided in subsection (b) of […]