OAR 333-019-0024: Pet Licensing, Animal Bites, and Rabies: Management of Animal Bites

(1) The circumstances surrounding bites of humans by mammals shall be investigated by the local public health administrator in accordance with the Investigative Guidelines published by the Authority. (2) Except as provided in section (3) of this rule, any dog, cat, or ferret that has bitten a person shall be held for observation until the 10th day following the bite. This observation shall be under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian or other person designated by the local public health administrator. Animals shall be held within an enclosure or with restraints deemed adequate by the local public health administrator to prevent contact with any person or other animals. At the discretion of the local public health administrator, properly vaccinated dogs used by public law enforcement agencies may be exempted from the observation period requirement; however, any law enforcement agency shall notify the local public health administrator immediately should any exempted dog develop abnormal behavior within 10 days of biting a person. (3) The local public health administrator may order the euthanasia and rabies testing of animals that have bitten humans when these animals are: (a) Inadequately vaccinated dogs, cats, or ferrets that have inflicted an unprovoked bite to the face, head, or neck of a person; or (b) Any other mammal suspected of having rabies or that has been in contact with an animal suspected of having rabies. (4) Because it is preferable to hold such animals for observation, no person shall either euthanize any dog, cat, or ferret that has bitten a human or destroy the head of any mammal that has bitten a person without authorization by the local public health administrator. [Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]