A. Investigation Of Animal Bites: The Administrator, or his or her designee(s), shall investigate all bites by dogs or other animals.
B. Quarantine:
1. Noninoculated Animals: In the event a noninoculated animal bites a person, said animal shall be quarantined at the County Animal Control Center, or at any other approved location, for a period of ten (10) days.
2. Inoculated Animals: Inoculated animals may be quarantined in the home of the owner if the bite is below the shoulders and, after inspection by the Administrator or designee, the facilities are deemed satisfactory for confinement.
C. Veterinarian Requirements: A veterinarian shall report the clinical condition of the animal immediately, with the confirmation in writing to the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator, within twenty four (24) hours after the animal is presented for examination, giving the owner's name, address, the date of confinement, the breed, description, age and sex of the animal, and whether the animal has been spayed or neutered, on appropriate forms approved by the department. The Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator, shall notify the attending physician or responsible health agency. At the end of the confinement period, the veterinarian shall submit a written report to the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator, advising him or her of the final disposition of the animal on appropriate forms approved by the department. When evidence is presented that the animal was inoculated against rabies within the time prescribed by law, it shall be confined in a house, or in a manner which will prohibit it from biting any person for a period of ten (10) days, if a licensed veterinarian adjudges such confinement satisfactory. The department may permit such confinement to be reduced to a period of less than ten (10) days. At the end of the confinement period, the animal shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian.
D. Others Responsible: Any person having knowledge that any person has been bitten by an animal shall notify the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator, promptly. It is unlawful for the owner of the animal to euthanize, sell, give away, or otherwise dispose of any animal known to have bitten a person, until it is released by the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator, or his or her authorized representative. It is unlawful for the owner of the animal to refuse or fail to comply with the reasonable written or printed instructions made by the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator, or his authorized representative. If such instructions cannot be delivered in person, they shall be mailed to the owner of the animal by regular mail. Any expense incurred in the handling of the animal under this section and section 4-2-12 of this chapter shall be borne by the owner.
E. Police Dogs Biting: When a person has been bitten by a police dog that is currently vaccinated against rabies, the police dog may continue to perform its duties for the peace officer or law enforcement agency and any period of observation of the police dog may be under the supervision of a peace officer. The supervision shall consist of the dog being locked in a kennel, performing its official duties in a police vehicle, or remaining under the constant supervision of its police handler. (Source: PA 93-548, eff. 8-19-2003.) (Ord. 06-009, 6-13-2006)