(A) (1) When a person has been bitten by an animal having rabies or suspected of having rabies, it shall be the duty of that person, or his or her parent or guardian if the person is a minor, and the person owning the animal or having the animal in his or her possession or under his or her control, to notify the County Health Director or person duly authorized by the County Health Director immediately and give their names and addresses and the owner or person having the animal in his or her possession or under his or her control shall immediately securely confine it for 10 days at the expense of the owner in the place as may be designated by the County Health Director. It shall be the duty of every physician, after his or her first professional attendance upon a person bitten by any animal having rabies or suspected of having rabies, to report to the County Health Director the name, age and sex of the person so bitten, and precise location of the bite wound, within 24 hours after first having knowledge that the person was bitten. If the owner of or a person who has in his or her possession or under his or her control an animal having rabies or suspected of having rabies refuses to confine the animal as required by this chapter or by G.S. § 130A-196, the County Health Director at his or her discretion may order seizure of the animal and its confinement for 10 days in a place the County Health Director designates.
(2) Law enforcement agencies investigating animal bites shall report the bites immediately to the County Health Director or person duly authorized by the County Health Director and give the names and addresses of the persons bitten and the owner of the animal.
(3) Animals confined pursuant to division (A) of this section shall not be released from confinement within the town except by written permission from the County Health Director.
(4) Animals confined pursuant to division (A) of this section shall be confined at the expense of the owner or keeper.
(5) In the case of an animal whose owner or keeper is not known, the animal shall be kept for the supervised confinement period required by this chapter at the animal shelter or other place as designated by the County Health Director.
(6) Badly wounded, diseased or suffering animals which are suspected of having rabies shall be taken to the County Animal Control Facility for disposition.
(B) Animals not vaccinated against rabies which are bitten by a known or suspected rabid animal shall be taken immediately to the County Animal Control Facility for disposition unless the owner or keeper agrees to strict isolation of the animal at a veterinary hospital for a period of 6 months at the owner’s or keeper’s expense. If the animal has a current rabies vaccination, the owner or keeper shall show proof of re-vaccination.
(Ord. passed 5-13-2003) Penalty, see § 94.99