A. Except as otherwise provided herein, the animal control officer shall either take up, impound, and isolate for at least ten (10) days following the date of the alleged bite, any animal of a type subject to rabies that is reported to have bitten any person, whether or not such animal has been vaccinated with a rabies vaccine and whether or not such animal displays any symptoms suggestive of rabies; or during those periods wherein Kings County is designated a rabies area under Health and Safety Code section 121585, such animal may be euthanized immediately and tested for rabies in a laboratory approved by either the California department of public health or the Kings County department of public health. If impounded, such animal must be isolated in the manner provided in this section for the isolation of dogs or cats suspected of having rabies.
B. Any person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older may, however, make written request to the animal control officer for the isolation of such biting animal either in facilities provided by a licensed veterinarian or in a licensed boarding kennel or upon the private premises of the person making such request. If such request is approved by the animal control officer, such biting animal shall not be taken up and impounded but at the option of the animal control officer shall instead be kept strictly confined and isolated in such veterinarian's facilities or on such private premises for the isolation period. The animal control officer shall post such private premises, in a conspicuous place thereon, with notice that an animal is being confined thereon to be observed for rabies.
C. Upon termination of the isolation period, animals isolated in an animal pound or private premises shall be released upon payment of the fees set forth in section 5-4C-11 of this article if, in the opinion of any licensed veterinarian or the county health officer, the animal does not have rabies. (Ord. 610, 7-20-2009)