Rabies & Confiscation of Dog

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

My aunt lives in Trenton, NJ and says that even with proof of a rabies vaccination, animal control gives the gives the person who was bite or the guardian of a child that was bit the right to seize the dog and have the head sent to CDC for a rabies check. I've never heard of this happening with a dog that has proof of a current vaccination. Could this be specific to a certain state or is this not true at all. I've never even heard of a mandatory "10 hold" for an animal with proof of the vaccination.

She said when granddaughter was bit by the neighbors dog (not Rottweiler) animal control asked whether or not she wanted the dog confiscated and killed to have the test done, even though the neighbor had proof of the current vaccination. My aunt has been know to not be totally honest in the past and this just doesn't sound right. Why would we vaccinate and have proof if they could still take our animals anyway?

[pazzo]

I live in NJ, and I have never heard of this. I do know quite a few bite victims, but I haven't heard this. I think it's time to do some diggin'! I would like to know the answer to this one. I can tell you one thing, if I have proof a vacc. and someone tries to take my dog, you can tune in to the news station, I'll be on there, held up in my home with my dog!

Ofcorse this is assuming I could justify "why" my dog bit!

[chivas]

Hmmm, this shouldnt be hard to find out, contact the state health dept.
As a former ACO in VA, when an animal bit (caused injury not death), it was quarentined on the owners property for 10 days as long as it had a current rabies vaccination. If it did not, the owner could pay for its 6month quarantine at our facility, or opt to have the animal euthanized and then we would check for rabies.
Kim

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

you can tune in to the news station, I'll be on there, held up in my home with my dog!

When I hear this type of talk it really makes me homesick. It wasn't until I moved to Oregon 6 years that I realized not everyone thinks like we do or if they do they certainly don't express it. Now living in Phoenix we have met a few people from NJ and when we get together I'm sure it sounds like something from the Sopranos.

Anyway, like I said my aunt has been known to be less than truthfull, the whole thing that started this post was a conversation with my mom and she said that my aunt was asked by Trenton Animal Control if she wanted the dog confiscated and tested for rabies even though the dog's owner had proof that the dog was current on his/her vaccination. She said they offered that because the vaccine is less than 100% effective. I know a few of the ACOs from Trenton and nothing would surprise me coming from them. I would love to call them but they are almost impossible to get on the phone. I will call tomorrow and ask them what their procedure is for a bite case. That should clear this up if I'm able to get a hold of someone.

[shybird]

You can find the information on the NJ website. I don't have time right now to find it again so you have to search. http://www.state.nj.us/

[BostonRott]

According to NJ law, she's incorrect.

4:19-19. Seizure and impoundment of dog by animal control officer; grounds

An animal control officer shall seize and impound a dog when the officer has reasonable cause to believe that the dog:

a. attacked a person and caused death or serious bodily injury as defined in N.J.S. 2C:11-1(b) to that person;

b. caused bodily injury as defined in N.J.S.2C:11-1(a) to a person during an unprovoked attack and poses a serious threat of harm to persons or domestic animals;

c. engaged in dog fighting activities as described in R.S.4:22-24 and R.S.4:22-26; or

d. has been trained, tormented, badgered, baited or encouraged to engage in unprovoked attacks upon persons or domestic animals.

The dog shall be impounded until the final disposition as to whether the dog is vicious or potentially dangerous. Subject to the approval of the municipal health officer, the dog may be impounded in a facility or other structure agreeable to the owner.

source: New Jersey Consolidated Dog laws


Another law, regarding confining the dog (note: nothing about offers to decapitate and test )

26:4-82. Confining animal which has attacked or bitten person

The local board, within its jurisdiction, may serve notice upon the owner or person in charge of a dog, cat or other animal which has attacked or bitten a person, to confine the animal at the expense of the owner or person in charge of it upon the premises of the owner or person in charge or at some other place designated in the notice, for at least ten days after the animal has attacked or bitten a person.

The only time you can kill them is if the animal is bitten by either an "unknown" animal or by an animal suspected of being rabid. And even then, the owner has the option of impounding for 6mos.

26:4-83. Killing or confining animal bitten by another

The local board, within its jurisdiction, shall serve a notice, in writing, upon the owner or person in charge of a dog, cat or other animal known or suspected to have been bitten by an animal known or suspected of being affected by rabies, requiring the owner or person in charge of the animal to kill it or confine it for a period of not less than six months.

Notice this must be done by the local board, in writing.

[pazzo]

Awww... Diane, any time you want to feel meloncholy (sp?) you can call me, our dinner table conversation is really "not normal" LOL!

Thanks Gretchen, for posting that. When I looked last night I found a different site under new jersey dog bite laws, and I was so annoyed at the top of the page there was a picture of a ROTTWEILER!

Thanks again! At least I won't be on the news for THAT! but you never know what else.....

Dana

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

Dana I will definately take you up on that call. When I'm home maybe we can even get together. I wanted to go to the Trenton Kennel Club show in May but I'm picking up a puppy in April and won't have the funds to fly to NJ this May.

Gretchen, as always you are able to come up with the answer. Thank you so much for posting the NJ statue I'm actually reading it to my mom and as we suspected my aunt once again was not telling the truth.