A. Every person who knows, learns, or suspects that a warm-blooded animal has bitten, scratched, or caused an abrasion of the skin of any human being, within the city, shall immediately report that fact to the Bartholomew County Health Department and/or Animal Care Services. All reports must be submitted on a form approved by the Bartholomew County Health Department entitled, “Animal Bite Report.” Upon receipt of the animal bite report, Animal Care Services shall contact the owner of the animal, if known, and advise them of the quarantine requirements. Animal Care Services shall contact the victim and notify them of their responsibilities. Animal Care Services has the right to check and make inquiry at any time during the quarantine period to verify that the animal is being quarantined in a manner that does not violate the quarantine requirements. The department shall have the power to apprehend and impound an animal found in violation of quarantine requirements.
B. Any warm-blooded animal which has bitten, scratched, caused an abrasion of the skin or which is known or suspected of being rabid, shall be confined for a period of not less than ten days from the date of the incident. This animal shall be quarantined in a building, secure enclosure with no means of escape or in any other manner approved by Animal Care Services that will keep the animal from coming in contact with any other animal. If an animal is a house pet and the owner must allow the animal outside in a manner that would violate this section, then the owner must have the animal on a leash or lead, be present at all times the animal is outside, and keep the animal on the owner's property. If the owner is unable or refuses to quarantine the animal as described, then the animal must be quarantined at the Animal Care Services Center, a boarding kennel, or licensed veterinarian's office. Animal Care Services shall have the power to apprehend and impound an animal found in violation of the quarantined requirements. The owner of the animal is responsible for any costs incurred during confinement. If there is no known owner of the animal, then the animal shall be quarantined at the Animal Care Services Center.
C. At the expiration of the quarantine requirement and prior to the release from quarantine, the animal must be examined by a licensed veterinarian who shall certify the animal as not being rabid. This certification must be presented to the Bartholomew County Health Department within three days of the examination. The owner is responsible for the certification. If the owner is unknown, Animal Care Services shall be responsible for the certification.
D. It is unlawful for the owner of any warm-blooded animal, when notified that such animal has bitten, scratched or caused an abrasion of the skin of a human being, or is known or suspected of being rabid, to sell, give away, allow to escape, or be taken from the limits of the city during the quarantine period.
E. If the animal is a wild animal, exotic or a domestic animal that is injured or diseased, and the owner is unknown, then Animal Care Services or the Bartholomew County Health Department may require the animal be euthanized and the head removed, and transported to the State Board of Health prior to the expiration of the quarantine requirement.
F. If it should be determined that an animal is rabid, then it shall be euthanized by a licensed veterinarian, the head of the animal removed by a licensed veterinarian and transported to the State Board of Health. The cost of euthanasia, removal of the head, and transportation shall be the responsibility of the owner. If the owner is unknown, then the cost shall be the responsibility of Animal Care Services.
G. If any animal shall die during the quarantine period, the head of the animal shall be removed-and transported to the State Board of Health. The cost of the removal and transportation shall be the responsibility of the owner. If the owner is unknown, then the cost shall be the responsibility of Animal Care Services.
(Ord. 48-2019, 2019; Ord. 32-2019 § 1, 2019; Ord. 13-2012 § 5, 2012; Ord. 08-17 § 1 (part), 2008; prior code § 4-41)