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Rabies.

Ala. Code tit. 3, ch. 7A
in effect

Ala. Code § 3-7A-1 Definitions.

3-7A-1. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings respectively ascribed to them unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (1) CANINE CORPS DOGS. Those members of the canine family maintained by governmental agencies for exclusive use in official duties assigned to those agencies. Seeing eye dogs shall be included within the meaning of this definition. (2) CAT. All members of the domesticated feline (Felis catus) family. (3) DOG. All members of the domesticated canine (Canis familiaris) family. (4) FERRET. All members of the ferret (Mustela putorius furo) family. (5) HAS BEEN EXPOSED. Suspected or confirmed contact of saliva with a break or abrasion of the skin or with any mucous membrane, as determined by the health officer or medical or law enforcement personnel. (6) HEALTH OFFICER. The State Health Officer or any county health officer as defined in Section 22-3-2, or his or her designee. (7) IMMUNIZATION AGAINST RABIES. The injection, in a manner approved by the State Health Officer and the State Veterinarian, of rabies vaccine approved by the State Health Officer and the State Veterinarian. The administration of rabies vaccine to species other than those for which reliable immunization data is available shall be a violation of this chapter. (8) IMPOUNDING OFFICER. An agent of a county or municipality vested with impounding authority for animals covered under this chapter. (9) OWNER. Any person having a right of property in a dog, cat, ferret, or other animal, or who keeps or harbors the animal, or who has it in his or her care, or acts as its custodian, or who permits the animal to remain on or about any premises occupied by him or her. (10) PERSON. Individuals, firms, partnerships, and associations. (11) QUARANTINE FOR RABIES OBSERVATION. Confinement under the direct care, custody, control, and supervision of a licensed veterinarian for a period of 10 days subsequent to the date of the exposure, or as otherwise directed by the appropriate health officer. (12) RABIES OFFICER. A licensed veterinarian as defined in Section 34-29-61, duly appointed by the county board of health and approved by the State Health Officer and State Veterinarian. (Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p. 816, §1; Act 2009-636, p. 1949, §1.)

Ala. Code § 3-7A-2 Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets to Be Immunized; Sale, Etc., of Vaccine; Vaccination Exemptions.

3-7A-2. Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets to Be Immunized; Sale, Etc., of Vaccine; Vaccination Exemptions. (a) Every owner of a dog, cat, or ferret required to be immunized for rabies as defined in this chapter, shall cause the animal to be immunized by the rabies officer, his or her authorized representative, or any duly licensed veterinarian, when the animal reaches three months of age and subsequently in accordance with the intervals specified in the vaccine’s license. Notwithstanding the above, the State Board of Health may establish by rule vaccine intervals or specific vaccines, or both, to be used in public rabies vaccination clinics, based on considerations such as county specific prevalence of animal rabies or risk of animal rabies and the vaccination rates of dogs, cats, and ferrets in a county. Evidence of immunization shall consist of a printed certificate furnished by the Alabama Department of Public Health, upon which shall be legibly inscribed: A description of the animal; its age, color, sex, breed, and tattoo identification, if any; the name and address of the owner; the lot number and type of vaccine used (modified live virus, inactivated virus); the name of the manufacturer, the amount of vaccine injected, and the date after which the animal is no longer considered vaccinated; and a serially numbered tag bearing the same number and year as that of the certificate. The certificate shall be dated and signed by the person authorized to administer the vaccine. Certificates not complying with the provisions of this section, or certificates issued by those persons unauthorized to administer rabies vaccine, shall not be valid. In lieu of printed certificates, licensed veterinarians may elect to utilize electronically generated and maintained certificates if the certificates contain substantially the same information as required above. A signed paper copy of the certificate prescribed herein shall be delivered to the owner of the animal immunized. A paper copy or electronic copy or evidence thereof shall be maintained by the licensed veterinarian for a period of one year past the expiration date of a certificate. An additional paper copy or electronic copy or listing shall be provided to the local rabies enforcement authority upon request by the authority and in the manner as so requested. (b) It shall be unlawful and in violation of the provisions of this chapter for any person to import, receive, sell, offer for sale, barter, or exchange animal rabies vaccine, other than antirabies vaccine intended for human use, to anyone except a duly licensed veterinarian. (c)(1) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, the State Board of Health by rule may establish procedures and qualifications for an exemption from the requirement for a vaccination for an animal if a rabies vaccination would be injurious to the animal’s health. (2) An animal exempted under subdivision (1) shall be considered unvaccinated by the State Board of Health in the event of the animal’s exposure to a confirmed or suspected rabid animal. (Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p. 816, §2; Act 2009-636, p. 1949, §1.)

Ala. Code § 3-7A-3 Immunization Fee.

3-7A-3. Immunization Fee. At public rabies clinics, the rabies officer may charge an immunization fee established by a committee consisting of the State Health Officer, the State Veterinarian, and the president of the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, and approved by the State Board of Health prior to the first day of January each year. The committee shall consider all cost factors in administering the vaccine as the economy dictates, including but not limited to the current prices of vaccines. (Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p. 816, §3; Act 2009-636, p. 1949, §1.)

Ala. Code § 3-7A-4 Issuance of Tag.

3-7A-4. Issuance of Tag. Coincident with the issuance of the certificate of immunization, the rabies officer, his authorized representative, or any duly licensed veterinarian, who provided the certificate shall furnish a serially numbered tag bearing the same number and year as that of the certificate, which tag shall at all times be attached to a collar or harness worn by the dog or cat for which the certificate and tag have been issued. (Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p. 816, §4.)

Ala. Code § 3-7A-5 Replacement of Tag and Certificate.

3-7A-5. Replacement of Tag and Certificate. In the event a tag or certificate is lost after it has been legally issued, every replacement thereof shall be upon such terms as may be agreed upon with the rabies officer or veterinarian by whom the animal has been immunized. In that instance, a new certificate marked “duplicate” may be issued and distributed according to Section 3-7A-2. (Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p. 816, §5; Act 2009-636, p. 1949, §1.)

Ala. Code § 3-7A-6 Penalty for Dog or Cat Without Tag or Certificate.

3-7A-6. Penalty for Dog or Cat Without Tag or Certificate. The owner of any dog or cat found not wearing the evidence of current immunization as provided herein or for which no certificate of current immunization can be produced, and which is apprehended by an officer or other person charged with the enforcement of this chapter, shall forthwith be subject to a penalty to be imposed by the rabies officer not to exceed an amount equal to twice the state approved charge for immunization, in addition to the fee heretofore prescribed for immunization. When collected, the said penalty shall accrue to the rabies officer or his agent, except in the case of a rabies officer employed full-time on salary, in which case the penalty shall accrue to the employing agency or agencies. (Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p. 816, §6.)

Ala. Code § 3-7A-7 Maintenance of Pound; Notice of Impoundment.

3-7A-7. Maintenance of Pound; Notice of Impoundment. Each county in the state shall provide a suitable county pound and impounding officer for the impoundment of dogs, cats, and ferrets found running at large in violation of the provisions of this chapter. Every municipality with a population over 5,000 in which the county pound is not located shall maintain a suitable pound or contribute their pro rata share to the staffing and upkeep of the county pound. If the owner of an impounded animal is known, the owner shall be given direct notice of the impoundment. (Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p. 816, §7; Act 2009-636, p. 1949, §1.)

Ala. Code § 3-7A-8 Destruction of Impounded Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets; When Authorized; Redemption by Owner; Adoption of Animals.

3-7A-8. Destruction of Impounded Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets; When Authorized; Redemption by Owner; Adoption of Animals. All dogs, cats, and ferrets which have been impounded in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, after notice is given to the owner as provided in Section 3-7A-7, may be humanely destroyed and disposed of when not redeemed by the owner within seven days. In case the owner of an impounded animal desires to redeem the animal, he or she may do so on the following condition: He or she shall pay for the immunization of the animal and a penalty equal to the minimum fine established in Section 3-7A-6 if a certificate of current immunization cannot be produced, and for the board of the animal for the period for which it was impounded. The amount paid for the board of the animal shall accrue to the credit of the city or county, depending upon the jurisdiction of the pound in which the animal was confined. At his or her discretion, the impounding officer may provide for adoption of any animal not redeemed or claimed or otherwise disposed of, to any person desiring the animal, if the person complies with all the provisions of this chapter. (Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p. 816, §8; Act 2009-636, p. 1949, §1.)

Ala. Code § 3-7A-9 Quarantine of Dog, Cat, or Ferret Which Bites Human Being; Destruction and Examination of Animal; Violations; Instructions for Quarantine; Report of Results; Exemptions.

3-7A-9. Quarantine of Dog, Cat, or Ferret Which Bites Human Being; Destruction and Examination of Animal; Violations; Instructions for Quarantine; Report of Results; Exemptions. (a) Whenever the rabies officer or the health officer receives information that a human being has been bitten or exposed by a dog, cat, or ferret required by this chapter to be immunized against rabies, the officer or his or her authorized agent shall cause the dog, cat, or ferret to be placed in quarantine under the direct supervision of a duly licensed veterinarian for rabies observation as prescribed in Section 3-7A-1. It shall be unlawful for any person having knowledge that a human being has been bitten or exposed by a dog, cat, or ferret to fail to notify one or more of the aforementioned officers. Vaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets may be authorized to be quarantined in the home of the owner of the animal by the appropriate health officer. (b) When a dog, cat, or ferret has no owner as determined by the rabies officer or the health officer after reasonable investigation, or if the owner of a dog, cat, or ferret agrees in writing, or if ordered by the health officer, the animal shall be humanely destroyed immediately after the exposure and the head shall be submitted for rabies examination to the state health department laboratory. (c) The period of quarantine for animals other than domesticated dogs, cats, and ferrets which have bitten or exposed a human being shall be determined by the Alabama Department of Public Health upon consultation with the U.S. Public Health Service. If reliable epidemiologic data is lacking for an animal species regarding duration of rabies virus secretion from the salivary glands, the animals shall be humanely destroyed and the head submitted for rabies examination to the state health department laboratory. (d) It shall be a violation of this chapter for the owner of such an animal to refuse to comply with the lawful order of the health officer in any particular case. It is unlawful for the owner to sell, give away, transfer to another location, or otherwise dispose of any animal that is known to have bitten or exposed a human being until it is released from quarantine by the rabies officer, duly licensed veterinarian, or by the appropriate health officer. (e) Instructions for the quarantine of the offending animal shall be delivered in person or by telephone or facsimile to the owner by the health officer or his or her authorized agent. If the instructions cannot be delivered in such a manner, they shall be mailed by regular mail, postage prepaid and addressed to the owner of the animal. The affidavit or testimony of the health officer or his or her authorized agent, who delivers or mails the instructions, shall be prima facie evidence of the receipt of such instructions by the owner of the animal. Any expenses incurred in the quarantine of the offending animal under this section and Section 3-7A-8 shall be borne by the owner. (f) The veterinarian under whose care the offending animal has been committed for quarantine shall promptly report the results of his or her observation of the animal to the attending physician of the human being bitten or exposed and the appropriate health officer. (g) Canine corps dogs and seeing eye dogs shall be exempt from the quarantine period if the exposure occurs in the line of duty and evidence of proper immunization against rabies is presented, but shall be examined immediately at the end of 10 days by a licensed veterinarian, who shall report the results of his or her examination to the appropriate health officer as previously authorized. (Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p. 816, §9; Act 2009-636, p. 1949, §1.)

Ala. Code § 3-7A-10 Destruction of Domesticated Species Exposed to Rabid Animal; Optional Quarantine.

3-7A-10. Destruction of Domesticated Species Exposed to Rabid Animal; Optional Quarantine. Those domesticated species, for which rabies vaccine is recognized and recommended, upon exposure or potential exposure to a known rabid animal, shall be humanely destroyed or slaughtered immediately. Provided, however, the owner has the option of quarantining the animal or animals based on the recommendations of the Alabama Department of Public Health upon consultation with the U.S. Public Health Service. (Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p. 816, §10; Act 2009-636, p. 1949, §1.)

Ala. Code § 3-7A-11 County Rabies Officer; Application; Appointment; Term; Powers and Duties; Authority of County Board of Health.

3-7A-11. County Rabies Officer; Application; Appointment; Term; Powers and Duties; Authority of County Board of Health. (a) The county board of health shall nominate annually one duly licensed veterinarian from each county within the state for the position of rabies officer. Applications for this position may be received from any duly licensed veterinarian residing within the county, or in the event that no applications are received, from the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association. Applications shall be provided to the chair of each county board of health during the month of November. The county board of health, not later than January 31 of the appointing year, shall select and appoint a nominee, subject to the approval of the State Health Officer and the State Veterinarian. The appointee’s term of office shall expire on December 31 of the year of appointment; provided, however, that he or she shall be eligible for reappointment. The rabies officer may be removed from office, for cause, by the county board of health or the State Health Officer. (b) Appointments not made within the prescribed time limits specified in this section shall become the joint prerogative of the State Health Officer and the State Veterinarian after due consultation with the appropriate health officer. (c) For the purpose of providing proper enforcement of this chapter, the county board of health is hereby invested with general supervisory and administrative authority for the implementation of this chapter. It shall be the duty of the rabies officer to immunize for rabies all dogs, cats, and ferrets covered under this chapter and he or she may employ as many licensed veterinarians to serve as deputies to aid him or her as he or she may desire. The rabies officer and his or her deputies in each county are clothed with limited police powers to the extent that they may issue citations for violations of this chapter as an agent of the county board of health, and shall not be subject to the limitations of Section 36-21-50. The sheriff and his or her deputies in each county and the police officers in each incorporated municipality shall be aides, and are hereby instructed to cooperate with the rabies officer in carrying out the provisions of this chapter. The compensation of the rabies officer and his or her deputies shall be limited to the fees collected from enforcement of this chapter. (Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p. 816, §11; Act 2009-636, p. 1949, §1.)

Ala. Code § 3-7A-12 Penalty for Violations.

3-7A-12. Penalty for Violations. Except as provided for in Section 3-7A-6, any person violating or aiding or abetting the violation of any provision of this chapter, or counterfeiting or forging any certificate, or making any misrepresentation in regard to any matter prescribed by this chapter or rule promulgated hereunder or except as otherwise provided, or resisting, obstructing, or impeding any authorized officer in enforcing the provisions of this chapter, or refusing to produce for immunization any animal in his or her possession for which rabies vaccine is recognized and recommended, or for failing to report an animal bite, shall be charged with a Class C misdemeanor, and for the purpose of enforcing this chapter, resort may be had to any court of competent jurisdiction. (Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p. 816, §12; Act 2009-636, p. 1949, §1.)

Ala. Code § 3-7A-13 Placement of Area Under Quarantine; Additional Measures.

3-7A-13. Placement of Area Under Quarantine; Additional Measures. (a) The State Health Officer, upon request of authorized local officials, may place certain areas of the state under a rabies quarantine to prevent the spread of rabies. In extreme situations, the State Health Officer may place the area under quarantine without waiting for local request. (b) Whenever the State Health Officer or local health authorities are convinced that the situation is conducive to the spread of rabies, additional measures may be imposed as are deemed necessary to prevent the spread of rabies among dogs, cats, and other animals. (Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p. 816, §13.)

Ala. Code § 3-7A-14 Power of Municipalities.

3-7A-14. Power of Municipalities. Nothing in this chapter shall be held to limit in any manner the power of any municipality to prohibit dogs, cats, or ferrets from running at large, regardless of rabies immunization status as herein provided; nor shall anything in this chapter be construed, in any manner, to limit the power of any municipality to further control and regulate dogs or cats in such municipality. (Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p. 816, §14; Act 2009-636, p. 1949, §1.)

Ala. Code § 3-7A-15 Rules.

3-7A-15. Rules. The State Board of Health is authorized to adopt and promulgate rules for the enforcement of this chapter, which rules shall have the force and effect of law. (Acts 1990, No 90-530, p. 816, §15.)

Ala. Code § 3-7A-16 Relation to Volunteer Service Act.

3-7A-16. Relation to Volunteer Service Act. A licensed veterinarian and his or her assistants, whether compensated by fee or otherwise or not compensated, when assisting the county rabies officer at any officially designated rabies vaccination clinic shall be considered a volunteer for the purpose of Section 6-5-336. (Act 2009-636, p. 1949, §2.)
Source: Alabama Legislature (alison.legislature.state.al.us)URL: https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabamaFetched: 10/20/2026

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