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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The Connecticut Department of Public Health's laboratory will no longer provide state-funded testing of rabid wild animals suspected of infecting pets if there was no human exposure.
The change went into effect July 1.
Officials say the lab will continue to provide and pay for rabies testing of any wild or domestic animal if humans were exposed.
The new policy requires pet owners to pay for the costs of testing potentially rabid animals suspected of infecting a pet.
DPH says this will primarily affect pet owners whose pets haven't been vaccinated. These pets are placed in quarantine for up to six months, while vaccinated pets can be observed at home for 45 days.
DPH says the change was not a result of budget cuts.
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