N.M. Code R. § 7.4.2.9 – Human Exposure; Animals with Symptoms of Rabies

A. When any person is bitten by an animal, it is the duty of such person or his parent or guardian, or any person having knowledge of the whereabouts of the animal, to immediately notify the animal control officer or the field office of the public health division.
B. Any dog, cat or ferret which bites or otherwise exposes a person to rabies shall be either destroyed and the head sent to the laboratory for rabies testing or confined immediately at the owner’s expense at a place and in a manner designated by the animal control officer and approved by the field health office. If the dog, cat or ferret shows signs or symptoms of rabies during the ten (10) day confinement and observation period, it shall be destroyed and the head sent to the laboratory for rabies testing.
C. Any skunk, bat, raccoon, coyote, bobcat or other wild animal not born or reared in captivity, with the exception of rodents (order rodentia) or rabbits (order lagomorpha), which bites or otherwise exposes a person to rabies shall be destroyed immediately and the head sent to the laboratory for testing. Rabbits and rodents do not normally transmit rabies.
D. Except for rodents and rabbits, the head of a susceptible animal suspected of having rabies, which bites or otherwise exposes a person to rabies and either dies or is destroyed within ten (10) days following the exposure shall be immediately sent to the laboratory for rabies testing. Rodent and rabbit specimens may be submitted with the consent of the state epidemiologist of the division of epidemiology, evaluation and planning division. A rabies submission form and instructions for shipping are available upon request from the scientific laboratory division, department of health.
[8/27/79; 10/31/96; 7.4.2.9 NMAC - Rn & A, 7 NMAC 4.2.9, 5/30/2003]