(A) If any person is a victim of an animal bite, he or she shall immediately notify the county Health Department, city Police Department, or Animal Control Agency of the incident, and provide a description of the animal and an identification, if possible, of the owner. When an animal is determined to have bitten a person, the animal shall be confined in quarantine for a period of not less than 14 days.
(B) With the exception of any judicial action dictating otherwise, an animal which has bitten a person may be left in the charge of the owner, under quarantine, unless, in the judgment of the Animal Control Officer and based upon considerations of public safety, the Animal Control Officer determines it should be removed to an animal shelter or veterinary hospital for the period of observation.
(C) In addition to any other legal obligations prescribed by law, the owner shall pay for all costs incurred in the quarantine and/or impoundment of the animal before such animal will be released. If the owner is unable or unwilling to pay for said costs, the animal may be humanely euthanized, and the owner shall still remain liable to the animal shelter for any costs incurred in said quarantine and/or impoundment and/or euthanasia and/or disposal.
(D) If the owner of the quarantined animal cannot be determined, or if the owner does not furnish proof of current rabies inoculation, the animal shall be impounded under the authority of the Board of Public Works and Safety and confined in the animal shelter for a period of observation of not fewer than 14 days.
(E) Animal control officers shall be empowered to enter onto private property for the purpose of impounding animals which are known to have bitten a person and shall obtain legal process to do so if necessary.
(Ord. 2005-21, passed 5-25-2005; Am. Ord. 2014-1, passed 2-25-2014) Penalty, see § 90.99