Ind. Code ch. 15-17-6

Ind. Code ch. 15-17-6
in effect

Ind. Code § 15-17-6-1 Rabies vaccination records

Sec. 1. (a) When an animal is vaccinated for rabies in Indiana, the veterinarian vaccinating the animal shall: (1) make and keep a record of the vaccination; and (2) give one (1) copy of the record to the owner of the animal. (b) The vaccinated animal must be identified as vaccinated according to rules adopted by the board. The board may adopt additional rules for documenting rabies vaccinations and for the identification of animals that have been vaccinated for rabies. [Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-2.1-6-5.] As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 15-17-6-2 Quarantine declaration

Sec. 2. (a) The state veterinarian may declare a quarantine against rabies in any county, township, city, or town, or a designated part of any county, township, city, or town whenever the state veterinarian finds that rabies exist in the area to the extent that the health or lives of individuals or domestic animals are endangered. (b) If a quarantine has been declared, the owner or caretaker of an animal in the quarantine area shall confine the animal: (1) on the premises of the owner; or (2) in a suitable place, subject to the approval of the state veterinarian, for the impounding and care of animals as provided in this chapter. (c) A quarantine order may specify the circumstances and conditions under which an owner may remove animals from the owner's premises or an impoundment facility. [Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-2.1-6-1.] As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 15-17-6-3 Vaccination order

Sec. 3. (a) If a quarantine has been declared, the state veterinarian may order any animal, species of animal, or group of animals in the quarantined area vaccinated within a period stipulated in the order. The owner of the animal shall pay the cost of the antirabies immunization. However, local health departments or political subdivisions of government may furnish antirabies immunization without charge to owners who are unable to pay for the immunization. (b) If an order for a rabies vaccination is made, any animal within the quarantined area whose owner refuses to have the owner's animal vaccinated shall be seized and disposed of by the state veterinarian, the state veterinarian's representative, or any person having police power within the quarantined area. [Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-2.1-6-2.] As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 15-17-6-4 Notice of vaccine order; duties of county health officer and sheriff

Sec. 4. (a) If the state veterinarian issues an order under section 3 of this chapter: (1) the state veterinarian shall give notice of the order to the county health officer of the county within which the quarantined area is located; and (2) the county health officer shall: (A) publish notice of the order as provided in IC 5-3-1; and (B) deliver a copy of the order to the sheriff of the county. (b) The sheriff shall assist in the enforcement of this chapter. [Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-2.1-6-3.] As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 15-17-6-5 Impounding area

Sec. 5. The board of county commissioners of each county containing an area quarantined under section 2 of this chapter shall furnish a suitable area or quarters: (1) for the impounding and care of animals that may be impounded under this chapter; and (2) that comply with the rules adopted by the board. [Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-2.1-6-4.] As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 15-17-6-6 State veterinarian assistance to local health officers

Sec. 6. If a quarantine has been declared under this chapter, the state veterinarian shall send an agent or employee into the area to assist the local health officers in the development of a program to control rabies in that area and assist the local law enforcement officers in the enforcement of the quarantine requirements. [Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-2.1-6-6.] As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 15-17-6-7 Impoundment, release, and disposition of animals

Sec. 7. (a) An animal found running at large in violation of a quarantine declared under section 2 of this chapter may be impounded as provided in the quarantine order, in the area or quarters provided by the board of county commissioners. During the quarantine period the owner may obtain possession of the animal by doing all of the following: (1) Paying the expenses of the animal's board and all tax or license fees that are due and unpaid on the animal. (2) Having the animal vaccinated and paying for the vaccination or furnishing evidence that the animal was vaccinated during the previous twelve (12) months. (3) Paying the impounding fee fixed by the board of county commissioners. (b) An animal not redeemed under subsection (a) shall be disposed of in a manner prescribed by the local health officer having jurisdiction. [Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-2.1-6-7.] As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 15-17-6-8 Expenses of impoundment

Sec. 8. Whenever a quarantine is declared by the state veterinarian under section 2 of this chapter, the expense of operating a pound, including food for animals impounded and expense of personnel, shall be paid from the general fund of the county without appropriation unless there are funds regularly appropriated to operate the pound. [Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-2.1-6-8.] As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 15-17-6-9 Requirements for animals in quarantine area

Sec. 9. Whenever a quarantine is declared under section 2 of this chapter, all animals brought into a quarantined area, except for exhibition purposes where animals are confined and not permitted to run at large, are subject to the same requirements as animals already located within the quarantined area. [Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-2.1-6-9.] As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 15-17-6-10 Loose animals; impoundment or destruction; notice; costs

Sec. 10. (a) A law enforcement officer shall impound or destroy an animal found running at large: (1) during a quarantine ordered under section 2 of this chapter; or (2) that is the subject of an order of confinement under section 11 of this chapter. (b) A law enforcement officer or other authorized individual shall impound an animal that is subject to quarantine or confinement under this chapter if a statement is provided to the officer or authorized individual that states that the animal has broken quarantine or confinement. The statement must: (1) be in writing; (2) be given under oath; (3) be signed by at least two (2) individuals; and (4) include the name and address of the owner or suspected owner of the animal, if known. (c) When possible, the authorized individual or agency contacted under this section shall give written notice to the owner or suspected owner of the animal upon impounding and before destroying the animal. (d) All costs incurred by a local government relating to the impoundment of an animal under subsection (b) shall be paid by the owner of the animal. [Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-2.1-6-10.] As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 15-17-6-11 Authority of state veterinarian and local health officer; confinement and destruction of animals; investigation

Sec. 11. (a) If an order has not been issued under section 2 of this chapter, the state veterinarian, the local health officer having jurisdiction, or an individual designated by the state veterinarian or the local health officer having jurisdiction may do the following: (1) Order the confinement and destruction of an animal showing clinical symptoms of rabies for laboratory diagnosis. (2) Order the confinement of an animal suspected of having rabies. (3) Order the confinement of an animal that has potentially exposed an individual to rabies. (4) Order the confinement and destruction of an animal that has potentially exposed an individual to rabies. (b) Whenever possible, the state veterinarian or local health officer exercising authority under this section shall give written notice to the owner or suspected owner of an animal: (1) upon impounding; and (2) before destroying; the animal. (c) The period of confinement ordered under subsection (a) must be: (1) of at least ten (10) days duration; (2) under the supervision of: (A) the state veterinarian; or (B) a licensed accredited veterinarian or a person designated by the official exercising authority under this chapter; and (3) at the expense of the owner. (d) Any animal that has been bitten by a domestic or feral animal suspected or known to have rabies may be: (1) confined for not more than twelve (12) months at the owner's expense; or (2) destroyed. (e) Whenever informed that an animal subject to an order of quarantine or an order of destruction or confinement under subsection (a) is running at large, the official who issued the order or the official's designee shall investigate the status of the animal. If the investigating official is given a statement that complies with section 10(b) of this chapter, the investigating official may order the animal impounded and, if necessary, provide the statement to a law enforcement officer for action under section 10 of this chapter. [Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-2.1-6-11.] As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 15-17-6-12 Emergency order; nonexpiration

Sec. 12. (a) For purposes of IC 4-21.5, an order issued under this chapter is an emergency order. (b) Notwithstanding IC 4-21.5-4-5(a)(3), an emergency order issued under this chapter does not expire. [Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-2.1-6-14.] As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 15-17-6-13 Cooperation

Sec. 13. The Indiana department of health and the local health officers shall cooperate with the state veterinarian in the rabies control program. [Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-2.1-6-12.] As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.56-2023, SEC.137.

Ind. Code § 15-17-6-14 Local ordinances

Sec. 14. This chapter may not be construed as repealing or prohibiting municipal ordinances on rabies control or divesting municipalities of existing rights or powers related to rabies control that are not in conflict with this chapter. [Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 15-2.1-6-13.] As added by P.L.2-2008, SEC.8.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/15Fetched: 10/17/2026

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