A. If the identity and address of the owner of any animal that bites a person is known, it shall be promptly furnished to the animal control officer and the county health department. The animal, regardless of its immunization status, shall be securely quarantined at the animal shelter for no longer than seventy-two (72) hours. It is the owner's responsibility to make arrangements with a veterinary hospital of the owner's choice at the owner's expense. The animal shall be observed by a licensed veterinarian for a period of ten (10) days, and may not be released until such reasonable determination has been made that the animal is not infected with rabies, unless the bite was a severe bite by an unimmunized animal. In circumstances of a severe bite (bite on the head, face, neck or upper extremities; or deep laceration; or multiple bite wounds) by an unimmunized animal, the biting animal should be humanely killed immediately, without damaging the head, and the head removed and shipped, under refrigeration, for examination at the Oklahoma state department of health. If the animal is not immediately available for testing, the individuals exposed should consult with their physician concerning the need for immediate initiation for rabies prophylaxis, hr case of animals whose ownership is unknown, such quarantine shall be at the city animal shelter or its authorized agent. If an owner becomes known, the animal may be reclaimed by the owner if adjudged free of rabies, and such owner shall then pay any related charges for confinement. Signs of rabies in wild animals cannot be interpreted reliably; therefore, any wild animal that has exposed a person should be killed at once (without unnecessary damage to the head) and the head submitted for examination for evidence of rabies.
B. An animal that bites or scratches the animal's owner or a family member in a first party ownership will be allowed to be securely confined and observed at the owner's home for a ten (10) day period immediately following the bite and shall not be otherwise quarantined if the owner so requests. This exception will only be allowed when it is determined by the kennel master or his designee that the conditions for secure confinement and animal supervision can be met by the responsible first party. In addition, the owner must provide proof of current rabies immunization, which has been provided by a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine. It shall be the animal control officer's duty to inform the person about the benefits and risks of quarantine. If the owner or family member does not request a quarantine of the animal, they will be required to execute a release of liability to the city of Duncan, Oklahoma, in a manner prescribed by the city. If the owner or family member is under eighteen (18) years of age, then the release shall also be executed by that person's parent or guardian.
C. Dogs in service to the blind, police dogs or search and rescue dogs in the line of duty, or other currently vaccinated dogs or cats in a situation where separation from the owner will threaten the owner's well being, may not be required to be placed in quarantine at the discretion of the kennel master or his designee.
D. Stray or unwanted dogs or cats that have bitten any person may either be quarantined for ten (10) days at an approved veterinary facility or an animal control facility; or immediately euthanized and the brain tissue submitted to the state department of health laboratory for rabies testing at the discretion of the kennel master or his designee.
E. It is the duty of every physician, veterinarian or other practitioner to report to the animal control officer the names and addresses of persons treated for bites inflicted by animals, together with such other information as will be helpful in rabies control.
F. It is the duty of every licensed veterinarian to report to the animal control officer his diagnoses of any animal observed by him to be a rabid suspect.
G. The kennel master shall keep or cause to be kept an accurate and detailed record of all bite cases reported to the city with a complete report of the investigation of each case. (Ord. 1510, 8-8-2000; amd. Ord. 1563, 3-25-2003; 2015 Code; Ord. 1837, 12-13-2022)