News from New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets

For more information contact: Jessica Chittenden, 518-457-3136

Public Service Notice

Invalid Animal Health Tests in Washington County Area

ALBANY, NY (05/15/2008; 1559)(readMedia)-- The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, in coordination with the New York State Departments of Health and Education, is notifying residents in the Washington County area of invalid veterinary tests conducted by Dr. Ronald Peters of Greenwich, New York.

On November 1, 2007, the New York State Department of Education suspended Dr. Peters’ license to practice veterinary medicine for a period of nine months. Therefore, any rabies vaccinations, livestock health certificates, or other official tests for livestock diseases performed by Dr. Peters after November 1, 2007 are considered invalid.

Valid proof of current rabies vaccination is necessary to get or renew a dog license, bring an animal into a state or county fair, and to avoid six-month quarantine of an animal that may have been exposed to rabies.

For those residents in Washington County whose dogs, cats or ferrets received rabies vaccinations from Dr. Peters since November 1, 2007, the Washington County Department of Health is holding a previously scheduled free rabies vaccination clinic open to all county residents at the Granville Town Highway Garage, County Route 24, Granville on Saturday, May 17 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Additional free rabies clinics will be held every month through the summer and fall. For specific dates and locations, contact Washington County Public Health at 518-746-2400. Residents of other counties should contact their county health departments to find out the date and location of free vaccination clinics.

Valid livestock health certificates and official tests necessary for movement of livestock and exhibition at county and state fairs must be issued by a qualified licensed veterinarian. Official tests include Coggins tests, cattle tuberculosis tests, and brucellosis tests. If any animal owner has had these or other official tests, rabies vaccinations or livestock health certificates done by Dr. Peters since November 1, 2007, the procedures will need to be re-done by a qualified licensed veterinarian to meet requirements for these regulatory programs.

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