A. Handling Of Biting Unlicensed Dogs And Unvaccinated Dogs Or Cats:
1. Any unlicensed dog or any unvaccinated dog or cat that bites any person shall be confined in a city shelter or veterinary hospital at the owner's expense for not less than ten (10) days. If at the conclusion of the ten (10) day quarantine period said animal has not shown clinical signs of rabies during the quarantine period the veterinarian shall issue a report to the animal control officer following the examination. The animal control officer shall immediately deliver copies to the victim or guardian, if a juvenile, and to the owner.
2. If an unlicensed dog or unvaccinated dog or cat that has bitten a person shows clinical signs of rabies during the quarantine period, the animal control officer shall immediately contact a veterinarian and, depending on the veterinarian's instructions, either transport the live animal to the veterinarian for examination or kill the animal and transport the animal's head to the Arizona state health laboratory for rabies testing. When the results from the laboratory are received, copies will be delivered to the victim or guardian, if a juvenile, and to the owner.
B. Handling Of Biting Licensed Dogs And Vaccinated Dogs Or Cats:
1. Whenever an owned dog or cat has been involved in a bite the owner must present proof of a current rabies vaccination and, in addition, the owner of a dog must present proof of a current city license or a license from another governmental agency with similar regulations.
2. The animal shall be quarantined for a period of ten (10) days at one of the following: veterinary hospital, owner's residence or the city shelter. The location of the quarantine shall be determined by the animal control officer. Upon completion of the ten (10) day quarantine the animal shall be examined by a veterinarian prior to release from quarantine. In case of a home quarantine it is the duty of the owner to transport the animal to the veterinary hospital. The veterinarian shall issue a written release. Copies of the release will be delivered to the victim or guardian, if a minor, and to the owner.
3. If the animal shows any symptoms of rabies or sickness it shall be removed from the quarantine location and examined by a veterinarian. Upon the recommendation of the veterinarian the animal will be destroyed and the head transported to the Arizona state health laboratory for rabies testing.
4. All fees incurred shall be the responsibility of the owner.
C. Handling Of Other Biting Animals:
1. Any other animal other than a dog or cat that bites any person shall be confined in a city shelter or veterinary hospital (at the owner's expense) for a period of not less than fourteen (14) days. The confinement of livestock is regulated by the Arizona livestock board.
2. Any wild animal which bites any person shall be taken into custody by the animal control officer or a police officer and appropriate measures taken pursuant to the Arizona Revised Statutes.
3. Any owner whose animal bites a person shall immediately notify the animal control officer and the Pinal County health department.
4. It shall be the duty of every physician and medical practitioner practicing in the city and of every hospital in the city to report to the animal control officer and the Pinal County health department the name and address of any person treated for bites and wounds inflicted by animals, including any additional information necessary for rabies control.
5. It shall be the duty of every veterinarian practicing in the city to report to the animal control officer and the Pinal County health department the name and address of the owner of any animal treated for rabies and wounds inflicted by any other animal together with all available information necessary for rabies control. (Ord. 05-590, 5-23-2005)