NYS Public Health Legal Manual: A Guide for Judges, Attorneys ...

NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC HEALTH LEGAL MANUAL § 1.80
for destroyed animals]. See also AML § 72(1), supra; PHL §§ 2141,
2143, 2144, 2145 [special provisions for control of animals with rabies].
[1.80] B. New York City Health Code
[1.81] 1. Reports
Health Code [24 RCNY] § 11.25(a) and (b) [list of animal diseases that
must be reported within 24 hours of diagnosis by veterinarian or other
person responsible for animal care or treatment].
[1.82] 2. Investigation
Health Code [24 RCNY] § 11.25(d)(1) [City Department of Health to
“make such investigation as the Department considers necessary for the
purpose of verifying diagnosis, ascertaining source of infection and discovering
other animals and humans exposed to the animal . . . . The
Department may collect or require to be collected for laboratory examination
such specimens as the Department considers to be necessary to assist
in diagnosis or ascertaining the source of infection, and shall order the
owner or other person harboring or having control of the animal to take
such measures as may be necessary to prevent further spread of the disease
and to reduce morbidity and mortality in animals and humans.”].
[1.83] 3. Seizure and Isolation
Health Code [24 RCNY] § 11.25(d)(2) [“An animal infected with or
suspected of having any disease listed in this section may be seized or
impounded by the Department . . . and be ordered held or isolated at the
owner’s expense under such conditions as may be specified by the Department.”].
[1.84] 4. Destruction
Health Code [24 RCNY] § 11.25(d)(2) [“[W]here the Department has
determined that an animal presents an imminent and substantial threat
to the public health, such animal may be humanely destroyed immediately
. . . .”]. See also § 11.27 [special rules for control of animals with
rabies].
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