Management of Dogs and Cats Exposed to Wildlife – Regulations (Regulation No. 95-3)
The Board of Health of the Town of Hudson, acting pursuant to the authority of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 111, Section 31, and by any other power thereto, enabling and acting thereunder, and in accordance therewith have, in the interest of and for the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare duly promulgated and adopted the following rules and regulations for the management of dogs and cats exposed to wildlife in the Town of Hudson together with the Animal Inspector, pursuant to such Inspector’s power and authority as contained in Chapter 129, Section 21 of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended, and the provisions of said Chapter 129 generally.
These revised regulations shall be effective upon and after publication of notice in a local newspaper, pursuant to a unanimous vote of the Board of Health at a public meeting on December 12, 195; following a public hearing held on November 7, 1995 and November 21, 1995, and so remain until modified or amended by the Board.
Definitions
Isolation: Restricting a domestic animal from any human or animal contact during the longest usual incubation period of the disease in order to prevent effective contact and transmission of the disease to other domestic animals or humans. Isolation will involve the confinement of the animal to a facility approved by the Animal Inspector.
Strict Confinement: Maintaining the domestic animal in an escape-proof building or enclosure, approved by the Town Animal Inspector. Animal may be leash walked under the immediate control of an adult.
Close Observation: Maintaining the domestic animal at home and under the supervision of the owner.
Unvaccinated Animals
Unvaccinated animals exposed to a known rabid animal will be ordered isolated, if not euthanized, for a period of six months. One month prior to release, the animal will be vaccinated against rabies.
Unvaccinated animals exposed to bite wounds of unknown origin will be ordered strictly confined, if not euthanized, for a period of six months. One month prior to the release, the animal will be vaccinated against rabies.
Vaccinated Animals
Vaccinated animals exposed to a known rabid animal will be ordered strictly confined for a period of 45 days. A booster shot will be administered immediately.
Vaccinated animals exposed to wounds of unknown origin will be ordered placed under close observation for a period of 45 days. A booster shot will be administered immediately.
Penalty
Failure to comply with the order may result in euthanization of exposed animals, if determined by the Board of Health to be in public interest, with the cost therefore to be paid by the owner of said animal.
Appeals
Any person to whom an order has been served pursuant to this regulation may request a hearing before the Board of Health be filing a written petition within 7 days. Upon receipt of such petition, the Board of Health shall schedule a hearing within 30 days. Anyone aggrieved by the decision of the Board of Health may seek relief therefrom within 30 days in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Severability
If any section, paragraph, sentence clause, or phrase of these rules and regulations is held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate and distinct provision and such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of these regulations which shall remain in force and effect; and to this end, the provisions of these rules and regulations are hereby declared severable.
Effective Date
This revised regulation shall take effect immediately upon publication of notice in a local newspaper and deposit in the Town Clerk’s Office, Town Hall, Main Street, Hudson, in conformance with a unanimous vote of the Board on December 12, 1995.
By order of the Board of Health:
Daniel Ehntholt, Chairman
James Saart, Vice-Chairman
Dale Nadeau, Clerk,
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