(A) Whenever an animal is affected by rabies, suspected of being affected by rabies or has been bitten by an animal known or suspected to be affected by rabies, the owner of the animal or any person having knowledge thereof, shall forthwith notify the Animal Control Officer and the County Health Department, stating precisely where the animal may be found.
(B) The Animal Control Officer, in conjunction with the Health Department, shall arrange for the supervised confinement of any animal which has bitten a person. The confinement may be on the premises of the owner if the owner will sign an agreement assuming total responsibility for the safe confinement of the animal. Confinement may be at the animal shelter, a private animal shelter, veterinary hospital or Humane Society shelter at the owners’ option and expense.
(C) Any animal which has bitten a person must be confined for a period of at least ten days. The County Health Department or the Animal Control Officer will be permitted by the owner to determine whether the animal shows symptoms of rabies. No person shall obstruct or interfere with the Animal Control Officer or the County Health Department in making the examination.
(D) The County Health Department shall serve notice, in writing, upon the owner of an animal known to have been bitten by an animal known or suspected of being affected by rabies, requiring the owner to confine the animal for a period of not less than six months, except that animals properly treated with antirabic vaccine shall be confined for a period of not less than three months.
(1985 Code, § 4-8) (Ord. 94-005, passed 9-13-1994) Penalty, see § 10.99