(a) Quarantine at time of exposure. — The owner of any dog, cat or ferret that exposes a human being to rabies shall quarantine said dog, cat or ferret for a period of at least 10 days commencing at the time of the exposure. Any person who fails to comply with this subsection shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $100.

(1) If the owner of the dog, cat or ferret can provide proof of a currently valid rabies vaccination, that dog, cat or ferret may be quarantined on the premises of the owner or custodian.

(2) If the owner of the dog, cat or ferret cannot provide proof of a currently valid rabies vaccination, that dog, cat or ferret must be quarantined by a veterinarian, kennel or other facility approved by the Department of Agriculture. The cost of quarantine in this instance is to be borne by the owner of the dog, cat or ferret.

(3) If the owner of that dog, cat or ferret cannot show proof of a valid rabies vaccination, the quarantine period shall be extended beyond the 10 days until such time that rabies vaccine is administered to that dog, cat or ferret by a licensed veterinarian. The dog, cat or ferret shall not be vaccinated during the initial 10-day quarantine period.

(b) Quarantine after notice of exposure. — An owner who fails to quarantine any dog, cat or ferret that exposes a human being to rabies after being notified must quarantine said dog, cat or ferret in an approved place and manner. An owner failing to quarantine said dog, cat or ferret shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $200.

(c) Reporting of conditions of quarantine. — (1) The owner of a dog, cat or ferret quarantined pursuant to these regulations is responsible for reporting the facts to the Division of Public Health or a veterinarian, if that dog, cat or ferret shows marked behavior changes, escapes, sickens or dies during the quarantine period. If the quarantined animal dies, escapes or for any other reason is not available to complete the quarantine period, the owner shall immediately notify the Division of Public Health by telephone, to be followed by a signed, notarized affidavit stating the reason for the animal’s unavailability to complete the quarantine period. This affidavit must be submitted within 7 days of the animal’s disappearance or death to the Division of Public Health.

(2) Any veterinarian, approved kennel or other person having knowledge of a quarantined dog, cat or ferret which shows marked behavior changes, escapes, sickens or dies shall report the facts to the Division of Public Health.

(3) Any person failing to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $200.

(d) Disposition during quarantine. — A dog, cat or ferret under quarantine may not be moved from the place of quarantine, killed, given away or otherwise disposed of without the written permission of the Division of Public Health or Department of Agriculture.

(e) Surrender of dogs, cats or ferrets for quarantine. — A person may not fail or refuse to surrender any dog, cat or ferret for quarantine or destruction as required in this section when demand is made by written order of the Department of Agriculture or Division of Public Health.

66 Del. Laws, c. 247, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 3; 75 Del. Laws, c. 309, §§ 4-6; 75 Del. Laws, c. 326, § 1.