A. Investigation: The animal control officer shall investigate or cause to be investigated all reports of animal bites.
B. Notice; Confinement: If the animal has bitten a person or other animal, the animal control officer shall notify the owner of the animal of such fact, and inform that owner of the necessary confinement procedures pursuant to subsection C of this section. The animal that has bitten a person or other animal must be confined by a veterinarian for observation for ten (10) days if the animal has not been inoculated against rabies. If the animal has been inoculated against rabies, it may spend the confinement period within the home of the owner, under observation. Police dogs are not subject to this stipulation and may continue working after the event. After the first twenty four (24) hours of confinement, the veterinarian must inform the animal control officer, in writing, of the animal's condition and at the end of the confinement period must provide a written report regarding the animal's condition and further instructions to the owner. If an animal has had contact with another animal with signs of rabies and has not been inoculated, they too must undergo the same ten (10) days of confinement. The owner of an animal who has undergone the ten (10) day confinement period must comply with the veterinarian's instructions which are included with the veterinarian's report. The owner of an animal which has had to undergo observation will bear the responsibility of payment for any and all costs related to the bite and confinement. The owner of an animal that bites may not attempt to sell or give the animal to a new owner during a period of mandatory confinement.
C. Compliance With Statutes: Any animal which has bitten a person shall be confined pursuant to the animal control act, as amended.
D. Reporting: Any owner of an animal which has bitten a person or other animal must report the incident to the animal control officer. (Ord. 2006-64)