New York Consolidated Laws, Public Health Law - PBH § 2143. Rabies;  seizure and disposal;  reports

Whenever the commissioner certifies a county to have a rabies alert pursuant to section twenty-one hundred forty-two of this title, any duly appointed dog control officer, animal control officer, peace officer, police officer, or health officer for that area may seize and confine any dog, cat or domesticated ferret found at large and may destroy a dog, cat or domesticated ferret found at large that is exhibiting symptoms of rabies and cannot be seized without placing any person at serious risk of physical injury.  Any duly appointed person who seizes, confines, or destroys a dog, cat or domesticated ferret pursuant to this section shall immediately report in writing the facts relating thereto to the county or local health authority.