(A) Any animal, no matter where currently residing, that has bitten a human or another animal in the City of Hammond shall be put into quarantine for 10 days from the date of the bite. Quarantine shall be administered as follows:
(1) If upon examination by the Animal Control Officers the animal is determined by Animal Control in its sole discretion, to be unvaccinated, vicious, dangerous, or has previously been the subject of citations or complaints, it shall be quarantined at a veterinarian, licensed kennel or Humane Society.
(2) Animals which are responsible for only minor injuries and that are vaccinated, and have not previously been the subject of citations or complaints may, at the discretion of Animal Control, be confined within the home of the owner, provided the owner can produce proof of current rabies vaccinations and current City of Hammond animal license.
(3) Animal owners, or custodians, shall be responsible for the costs incurred while the animal is confined and the City of Hammond is not responsible for any costs incurred under this section.
(B) The Hammond Animal Control Department may require at its discretion, special confinement or quarantine of any animal, that has bitten a person or other animal, and the injuries sustained are such that the person or animal's health or well-being is jeopardized. The Hammond Animal Control Department may in its discretion order the animal surrendered to an animal shelter or veterinary hospital at the owner's expense. Any animal confined for quarantine at the Hammond Animal Control facilities for the required 10-day quarantine, or any part of that 10-day quarantine, shall pay a fee of $125. Animals held, or not claimed, in excess of ten days shall pay an additional $10 per day. All fees are to be paid prior to the release of the animal. No fees shall be waived except by the Hammond Board of Public Works and Safety.
(C) No person shall knowingly or negligently allow the confined or quarantined animal to escape, nor give away, sell or otherwise dispose of the quarantined animal prior to the expiration of the quarantine period.
(D) After a quarantined animal is released, and does not have current rabies tags or city license, the animals owner is required to provide proof of a pre-paid vaccination and must have the animal vaccinated and licensed within 10 days.
(Prior Code, § 91.67) (Ord. 4109, passed 7-14-1975; Am. Ord. 7016, passed 2-23-1988; Am. Ord. 7335, passed 12-10-1990; Am. Ord. 9219, passed 9-9-2013) Penalty, see § 91.999