§ 8-7. Animal quarantine.

(a)

When a dog or cat has bitten, or scratched a human, or when the local animal control officer has probable cause to believe an animal is rabid; the owner of such animal shall produce the animal for ten days' confinement at the owner's expense. Refusal to produce the dog, cat or other animal constitutes a separate violation. The ten-day observation period will begin on the day of the bite incident. The animal must be placed in the county animal control facilities specified for this purpose, or other facilities meeting the state requirements or a facility as designated by the animal control supervisor. However, the owner of the animal may request permission from the local animal control officer for home quarantine if the following criteria can be met:

(1)

Secure facilities must be available at the home of the animal's owner, and must be approved by the local animal control officer.

(2)

The animal was currently vaccinated against rabies.

(3)

The local animal control officer or a licensed veterinarian must observe the animal at least on the first and last days of the quarantine period. If the animal becomes ill during the observation period, the local animal control officer must be notified by the person having possession of the animal. At the end of the observation period, the release from quarantine must be accomplished in writing.

(4)

The animal was not running at large at the time of the bite.

(b)

It shall be unlawful for any person to interrupt the ten-day observation.

(c)

No wild animal will be placed in quarantine. All wild animals involved in biting incidents will be humanely euthanized in such manner that the brain is not mutilated. The brain shall be submitted to a state department of health certified laboratory for rabies diagnosis.

(d)

The owner of an animal that is quarantined under this chapter shall pay to the city the reasonable costs of the quarantine, care, treatment and disposition of the animal, and the local animal control officer may adopt the animal and retain proceeds or destroy the animal that the owner or custodian does not take possession of on or before the third day following the final day of quarantine.

(Code 1994, art. 2.700; Ord. No. 389, § 1, 6-13-2005)