(A) Any pet which bites or otherwise exposes a person or animal to possible rabies shall:
(1) If not currently vaccinated, be quarantined at a veterinary hospital at the owner’s expense for a period of at least ten days after the day of exposure. The owner of such animal shall have 48 hours from the time of exposure to provide proof of current vaccination to law enforcement officials or release the animal to a veterinarian for quarantine. In the event an owner will not voluntarily release the animal for quarantine, the law enforcement officer shall obtain a court order to seize the animal and place it in quarantine at the veterinary hospital of the authority’s choice at the owner’s expense. The order, if the owner cannot be found at his or her place of residence, may be served by leaving it with a person of suitable age and discretion or by placing it in a prominent place at the front door of such residence;
(2) If the animal is currently vaccinated, the animal may, at the discretion of the law enforcement officer, be quarantined at the owner’s home. If at any time the animal is known to run at large during the quarantine period, the animal shall be impounded by law enforcement officers and shall remain at a veterinary hospital for the remainder of the quarantine period at the owner’s expense;
(3) If the animal is a stray and no owner is identified within 72 hours, the animal shall be euthanized and tested for rabies; and
(4) The aforesaid procedure shall be suspended on order of the attending veterinarian when an animal exhibits symptoms of rabies.
(B) Any hybrid-type animal or any animal other than those included in division (A) above (dog and cat) which bites or otherwise exposes a person or animal to rabies shall be quarantined or euthanized and tested for rabies.
(1) If the animal is quarantined, the animal shall be placed at a veterinary hospital at the owner’s expense for a period of at least ten days after the exposure. In the event an owner will not voluntarily release the animal for quarantine, the law enforcement officer shall obtain a court order to seize the animal and place it in quarantine at the veterinary hospital of the authority’s choice at the owner’s expense.
(2) If the animal is a stray and no owner is identified within 72 hours, the animal shall be euthanized and tested for rabies.
(3) The aforesaid procedure shall be suspended on order of the attending veterinarian when the animal exhibits symptoms of rabies.
(Ord. 2008-01, passed - -)