JCH-NACA Animal Control Officer Practice Test

Why is it important to put an animal in quarantine after it has bitten or scratched someone?

1. To ensure it does not spread illness

2. Monitoring for symptoms of rabies

3. To prevent it from being adopted

4. For training purposes

The correct answer is: Monitoring for symptoms of rabies

When an animal has bitten or scratched someone, it is crucial to place it in quarantine primarily to monitor for symptoms of rabies. Rabies is a viral infection that can be fatal once symptoms appear, and it is often transmitted through bites from infected animals. Quarantine allows for observation of the animal's health over a specified period, typically around ten days, during which any neurological symptoms or behavioral changes indicative of rabies can be detected. While ensuring that an animal does not spread illness and addressing public safety concerns are also important, the urgency of monitoring for rabies takes precedence in scenarios involving bites or scratches. This specific disease poses a significant risk to humans and other animals, which is why proactive measures such as quarantine are implemented in these cases.