1. (a) The final decision for animal destruction, quarantine, or other disposition of any animal other than a dog, cat, or ferret that bites a person, or otherwise potentially exposes a person to rabies shall be determined through the Department. The decision will consider, but not be limited to:
2. (1) The epidemiology and risk of rabies in the species of animal in question;
3. (2) Possible prior exposure to a rabies vector;
4. (3) Behavior of the animal at the time of the bite;
5. (4) Prior rabies vaccinations; and
6. (5) Other circumstances that may exist.
7. (b) In some situations, the Department will consider the initiative and willingness of the individual so exposed to submit to postexposure anti-rabies immunization after being adequately informed of all potential risks.
8. (c) Any biting animal determined to be at significant risk for the transmission of rabies shall upon written order by the Commissioner of Health, or a specifically designated representative, be humanely killed and the brain, including brainstem, submitted to the Oklahoma State Department of Health designated rabies testing facility. .
9. (d) If the animal is a not known to be a rabies reservoir in Oklahoma, the Department may order the quarantine of an animal, determined to be at very low risk for the transmission of rabies, for a thirty (30) day observation period as an alternate method to euthanasia and testing.

Added at 14 Ok Reg 3581, eff 7-18-97 (emergency)

Added at 15 Ok Reg 2367, eff 6-11-98

Amended at 41 Ok Reg, Number 22, effective 8-11-24