Rabies

Rabies is a widespread, viral infection transmitted through the saliva of infected warm-blooded animals. The virus attacks the nervous system and, if left untreated, is 100 percent fatal in animals.

Rabies usually begins subtly, with pet owners first noticing that their pet goes off its food and just “doesn’t seem right”. The animal may become restless and irritable, have a “strange look in its eyes” and make funny sounding cries or barks. As illness progresses, nervous system signs become more obvious with tremors appearing, difficulty walking and swallowing, and even convulsions and paralysis developing. Affected animals may or may not try to bite or show other signs of aggression.

If your pet begins to show any of these symptoms, notify the Animal Control Officer at (860) 873-5044 and seek the care and advice of a veterinarian. Separate your animal from other animals and humans immediately.

Questions?

• Anyone having questions concerning dogs, cats and other domestic animals that may have been exposed to a suspected rabid animal should contact the Animal Control Officer at (860) 873-5044 or the State Animal Control Division at (860) 713-2506.
• Anyone having questions concerning possible human exposure to rabies should contact the Animal Control Officer at (860) 873-5044 or the state Department of Public Health at (860) 509-7994.
• Anyone having question concerning wildlife, including unusual behavior, can contact the Department of Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division at (860) 424-3011 of for emergencies (860) 424-333.

Rabies Symptoms:

Sec. 22-339b. Rabies vaccination required for dogs and cats. Exemption from rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccination exemption certificate. Veterinarian appeal. Penalty.

1. Any owner or keeper of a dog or cat of the age of three months or older shall have such dog or cat vaccinated against rabies. Any animal vaccinated prior to one year of age or receiving a primary rabies vaccine at any age shall be considered protected for only one year and shall be given a booster vaccination one year after the initial vaccination and shall be vaccinated at least every three years thereafter. Those animals revaccinated after one year of age shall be given booster vaccinations at least every three years thereafter. Proof of vaccination shall be a certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with subsection (a) of section 22-339c. A licensed veterinarian, upon request of the Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer, municipal animal control officer or regional animal control officer shall submit to such officer a copy of such certificate and any associated rabies vaccination records for such dog or cat that has bitten a person or another animal.
2. The State Veterinarian or the Commissioner of Agriculture, or the commissioner's designee, may grant an exemption from vaccination against rabies for a dog or cat if a licensed veterinarian has examined such animal and determined that a rabies vaccination would endanger the animal's life due to disease or other medical considerations. Such exemption may be granted for an individual animal only after the veterinarian has consulted with the State Veterinarian, the Commissioner of Agriculture, or the commissioner's designee, and completed and submitted to the department an application for exemption from rabies vaccination on a form approved by the Department of Agriculture. After approval of such exemption, the department shall issue a rabies vaccination exemption certificate, copies of which shall be provided to the veterinarian, the owner of the dog or cat exempted from rabies vaccination and the animal control officer of the municipality in which the owner of the dog or cat resides. Certification that a dog or cat is exempt from rabies vaccination shall be valid for one year, after which time the animal shall be vaccinated against rabies or the application for exemption shall be renewed.
3. Any veterinarian aggrieved by a denial of a request for an exemption from rabies vaccination by the State Veterinarian, the Commissioner of Agriculture or the commissioner's designee may appeal such denial as provided in the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act, sections 4-166 to 4-189, inclusive.

Sec. 22-339c. Certificate of rabies vaccination.

1. A certificate of rabies vaccination shall be (1) a form approved by the National Association of Public Health Veterinarians, (2) any form approved by the State Veterinarian, or (3) any form that has the following information regarding the vaccinated animal: (A) The name and address of its owner; (B) a description of the animal which specifies its species, breed, age, color or markings and sex; (C) the date of the vaccination, the duration of the immunity provided by the vaccination, the producer of the vaccine and the vaccine serial number; (D) the rabies tag number; and (E) the signature and license number of the veterinarian administering the vaccination. Such certificate shall be the official proof of rabies vaccination submitted to a town clerk in accordance with the provisions of section 22-338 or 22-339a.
2. The owner or keeper of a dog or cat shall keep a certificate, or copy thereof, stating that such dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies and shall make such certificate or copy available to any animal control officer, regional animal control officer or municipal animal control officer of any municipality for inspection.
3. An antirabies clinic, upon request of any municipal animal control officer or animal control officer, shall submit to such officer a copy of any such certificate issued. Such copy shall be used by the officer to search for unlicensed dogs in accordance with the provisions of section 22-349.