Regardless of Vaccination Status Animal Bites Necessitate Quarantine in Texas

Austin, TX (Law Firm Newswire) May 25, 2017 – In Texas, if a dog or a cat bites a human, regardless of its vaccination record, it must be either quarantined or euthanized.

Should the animal involved in a biting incident have rabies or be suspected of having rabies, the animal must be euthanized and the brain sent to a lab for testing. If the animal is quarantined, it must remain under observation for 10-days from the time the bite was inflicted. The 10-day period begins at the time of the bite, even if the animal is not actually confined until a later date. All Texas counties and cities must have a Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA) responsible for enforcing applicable rabies laws, investigating bites and managing biting animals.

“Dog attacks are serious,” indicated Austin dog bite attorney Brooks Schuelke. “While the threats from dog attacks come in many forms, the threat of rabies is a serious problem that can’t be ignored.”

If an animal is subject to quarantine, paid for by the owner, then it is placed in a completely secure location, where it is not able to escape, has no contact with animals or people (other than those providing care) and is observed twice a day by a qualified individual. There are several options for quarantine:

· Home confinement (if approved the LRCA)
· A Texas facility licensed by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
· A veterinary clinic operated by a licensed veterinarian

Home confinement may be approved by the LRCA if the animal was vaccinated for rabies and the span of time between the animal’s most recent rabies vaccination is not past the time limit recommended by the vaccine maker. Home confinement may also be a viable alternative if the animal was not a stray when it bit someone; the home is equipped to handle the dog in a secure manner; the caretaker closely monitors the animal, reporting to the LRCA; and the LRCA or a licensed veterinarian monitors the animal on the first and last day of isolation (at a minimum).

Dog bite cases are complex and a number of factors come into play, most notably negligence. “If the dog owner knew or should have known their dog may be ill, or suspected or should have suspected rabies, but the animal was roaming loose, a plaintiff would likely have a fairly solid case to claim compensation,” Schuelke added.

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