§ 8-144. Notice concerning attacking and biting animals; quarantine.

(a)

Quarantine of biting animals. Upon receiving notice that an animal has attacked a person or a person has otherwise potentially been exposed to rabies, an animal control officer shall investigate the incident. Any animal determined to have bitten a person or caused potential human exposure to rabies shall be immediately strictly confined and isolated for observation at animal control facilities for ten calendar days.

(1)

At the owner's request, the animal may be quarantined at a licensed veterinary clinic. If such clinic is closed or otherwise unable to take the animal at that time, the animal will be immediately transported to animal control facilities and held until the animal can be transported to a licensed veterinary clinic.

(2)

Nothing shall prohibit county animal control from allowing an animal to remain in strict confinement on the premises of the owner subject to daily inspections by county animal control so long as the health, safety, and welfare of any person or animal is not threatened. Those animals may include, but are not limited to, the following:

a.

A female animal that is nursing offspring and that is current on her rabies vaccination.

b.

A vaccinated animal if the animal has a medical condition, verified by a written statement from a licensed veterinarian, and confinement at animal control facilities or a veterinary clinic would be detrimental to the health and welfare of the animal.

c.

An animal that is current on its vaccination and has bitten its owner, caretaker, or member of its family.

(3)

No animal that is confined under this section shall be vaccinated for rabies until the end of the quarantine period.

(4)

No animal that is confined under this section shall be sterilized or undergo any other surgical procedure during the quarantine period unless the surgery is necessary for a life threatening medical condition or injury.

(b)

Regardless of the quarantine location, the owner shall be responsible for all expenses incurred.

(Ord. No. 16-008 , 12-19-2016)