(A) Every dog and cat owner that resides within the county shall have his or her dog or cat initially vaccinated by the age of four months and revaccinated against rabies at the expiration of the immunization period as certified by a veterinarian.
(B) Animal Control shall secure an animal that has bitten a human being or is suspected of being rabid and report the incident to the local health department in order to collaborate and determine if a quarantine period is needed.
(C) Physicians shall report persons bitten by dogs, cats and ferrets and other animals to the local health department within 12 hours of treatment in accordance with KRS 258.065. In the event that the health department is closed, physicians must report the incident on the next business day pursuant to KRS 258.065. In the event that a child is bitten and does not receive medical care, the parents or guardians of that child shall report to the local health department pursuant to KRS 258.065.
(D) In accordance with KRS 258.085, a health officer shall have the authority to quarantine for a period not to exceed:
(1) One hundred eighty days any animal has been bitten by another animal known or suspected to have rabies;
(2) Ten days any dog, cat or ferret that has bitten a human being; or
(3) Ten days any dog, cat or ferret that exhibits symptoms of rabies.
(E) In lieu of the quarantine, a health officer may order an animal to be destroyed and tested for rabies. If an animal dies or is destroyed because of having been suspected of being rabid, the head shall be sent to a laboratory approved by the secretary for health and family services to be tested for rabies pursuant to KRS 258.085.
(F) If a wild or exotic animal bites a human being or exhibits symptoms of rabies, that animal shall be destroyed and tested for rabies pursuant to KRS 258.085.
(G) The owner of any animal quarantined or tested under this section shall be liable for any expenses incurred as a result of the quarantine or testing. Any owner who destroys or disposes of an animal that has bitten a human being shall be liable for any rabies post-exposure treatment if the destruction or disposal occurs in a manner that does not allow for rabies testing or quarantine pursuant to KRS 258.085.
(H) Service animals, as defined in KRS 525.010 and service animals in training, that are vaccinated in accordance with KRS 258.015, are under the control of a law enforcement agency, and are acting in the line of duty, shall be exempt from the quarantine period pursuant to KRS 258.085.
(I) If a local board of health has reason to believe or has been notified by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services that there is a danger that rabies may spread within the county, the local board of health shall publish a notice requiring owners of specified animals of the county to confine the animals for any periods that may be necessary to prevent the spread of rabies pursuant to KRS 258.055.
(J) Any person who violated KRS 258.015, 258.035, 258.055, 258.065 or 258.085 shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $100. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense pursuant to KRS 258.990. All fines collected shall after costs and commissions have been deducted, be paid to the department to be credited to the animal control and care fund pursuant to KRS 258.990.
(Ord. 269, passed 7-16-1996; Am. Ord. 662, passed 10-19-2021)
Penalty, see § 90.99