Whenever any animal, except a dog or cat, bites a person, the person so bitten and the owner of the animal shall immediately notify the animal control officer who shall cause an examination of the animal to be made by a duly licensed physician or a duly licensed veterinarian, and shall order the animal held on the owner's premises or have it impounded as long as necessary for a complete examination. If it is determined that the animal is infected with rabies or other dangerous, contagious or infectious disease, it shall be the duty of the animal control officer to destroy the animal in a manner provided by law. If, at the end of the quarantine or impoundment, a veterinarian documents that the animal is free from such diseases, the animal shall be released to the owner at the place of impoundment. If the animal dies during the period of quarantine or impoundment, its head shall be sent to the State Department of Health for examination. The owner shall bear any costs involved in the quarantine or impoundment of the animal including boarding costs.
(Prior code § 8-2-10)