Euthanization or management of animals that have been in close contact with animal suspected or known to have rabies; responsibility of owner for costs of confinement, veterinary care and examination.

1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a wild or exotic animal that is rabies-susceptible and in close contact with an animal suspected or known to have rabies must be euthanized immediately. The rabies control authority may exempt a rare or valuable animal from the provisions of this section. 2. A dog, cat or ferret which is considered by the rabies control authority to have been in close contact with an animal suspected or known to have rabies must be managed according to the guidelines adopted by reference in paragraph (o) of subsection 1 of NAC 441A.200 , regardless of whether the dog, cat or ferret has been vaccinated pursuant to NAC 441A.433 and 441A.435 . If the animal is euthanized prior to the completion of the management process, the head of the animal must be removed and submitted to the State Department of Agriculture to test for rabies. 3. A domesticated animal of a rabies-susceptible species, other than a dog, cat or ferret, which is considered by the rabies control authority to have been in close contact with an animal suspected or known to have rabies must be managed according to the discretion of the rabies control authority. 4. The owner of an animal confined pursuant to the provisions of this section is responsible for all costs of confinement and veterinary care and examination. 5. As used in this section, “in close contact with an animal suspected or known to have rabies” means, within the past 180 days, to have been bitten, mouthed or mauled by, or closely confined on the same premises with, an animal suspected or known to have rabies.