(A) Rabies control.
(1) Any animal which bites a human being shall be promptly reported to the County Animal Control/Shelter and shall thereupon be placed under strict confined observation, at the direction of the County Animal Control/Shelter, for a period of time designated by the County Animal Control/Shelter, and shall not be released from strict confined observation, except by permission of the County Animal Control/Shelter. If the animal’s rabies vaccination are current, such strict confined observation may be on the premises of the owner, at the County Animal Control/Shelter (at the owner’s option and expense), or in a county veterinary hospital or boarding kennel of the owner’s choice, who is willing to, and is equipped to, provide the proper strict confined observation. In the case of stray animals, or in the case of animals whose ownership is unknown or if the owned animal is unvaccinated, such strict confined observation shall, at the owner’s option and expense, be at the County Animal Control/Shelter, or in a county veterinary hospital or boarding kennel of the owner’s choice. Animals that scratch will be place under strict confined observation. Such strict confined observation may be on the premises of the owner. The length of time will be ten days from time of the bite, in a normal situation. During this time, the animal cannot have any vaccinations in accordance with state law. All dogs and cats at three months of age must have a current rabies vaccination; failure to do so will be a chapter violation.
(a) Any animal that has bitten a human being, be it domestic or wild, is considered a rabies suspect until proven otherwise.
(b) Any unowned animal exhibiting signs of rabies shall be euthanized immediately, and the brain sent to the state laboratory. The most classic signs of rabies are: hydrophobia; extreme aggression; disorientation; foaming at the mouth; high fever; ataxia; or staggering. No animal will show all the signs, and some animals that have rabies will not show any of the signs.
(c) Currently vaccinated animals can be placed under strict confined observation at the owner’s home if the owner has the facilities to handle a rabies suspect that complies with the rules of the County Animal Control/Shelter. This decision shall be at the discretion of the County Animal Control/Shelter as to if the owner’s home is sufficient. If the owner has indicated by action, words, or deed signs of not willing to cooperate fully, the animal will be taken to the animal shelter for the remainder of the strict confined observation at the owner’s expense.
(2) Unvaccinated animals, or animals otherwise suspected of having rabies, are to be place under strict confined observation, at the owner’s expense, at the County Animal Control/Shelter, in a veterinary clinic, or a boarding kennel. These facilities must be willing to accept the responsibility of the suspect animal and be properly equipped for strict confined observation, providing it is within the county. The owner’s home is not sufficient confinement for these rabies suspects.
(a) Some cases are judged case-by-case with all information taken into consideration (for example, impute from a veterinarian, the animal’s age, or if it is sick or injured).
(b) At the owner’s discretion, the animal may be euthanized and have the brain sent to the state laboratory for a quick diagnosis.
(3) Wild animals that have bitten shall be euthanized immediately. The head will be sent to the state laboratory.
(4) In cases of domestic animals attacking other domestic animals:
(a) For vaccinated biters, the biter will be placed under strict confined observation at the owner’s home for a period of time as shall be fixed by the County Animal Control/Shelter (ten days from time of bite);
(b) For unvaccinated biters, the biter will be placed under strict confined observation at the County Animal Control/Shelter for a period of time (ten days from time of bite). Before release will be granted, proof of appointment and a prepaid rabies vaccination with a licensed veterinarian must be provided. Revaccination must be within 24 hours after release from the shelter;
(c) For a vaccinated bite victim, when the biter cannot be found, the victim must be revaccinated immediately and placed under observation at the owner’s home for 45 days from the time of bite; and
(d) For an unvaccinated bite victim, when the biter cannot be found, the owner should have the animal euthanized immediately. If the owner is unwilling to have this done, the victim is placed under strict isolation for six months, and is to be vaccinated one month before release. The owner’s home is sufficient if the owner has the proper facilities for the strict isolation. If not, the animal will be placed under strict isolation at the County Animal Control/Shelter. The cost is to be the owner’s responsibility, and is to be prepaid up front. For failure to prepay within three days from the start of strict isolation at the shelter, the animal can be euthanized.
(5) Some cases of animals attacking animals will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. This decision shall be made in conjunction with the State Board of Animal Health and the State Veterinarian.
(6) All animals placed under strict confined observation, strict isolation, and/or quarantine must remain within the county for the duration of this period. The cost is the owner’s responsibility. Some cases will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and all information considered.
(7) The owner or keeper shall surrender, upon demand of the County Animal Control/Shelter, any animal which has bitten a human, or is suspected of having been exposed to rabies, for supervised strict confined observation, strict isolation, and/or quarantine, with the expenses being borne by the owner.
(8) The animal may be reclaimed by the owner:
(a) At the completion of the observation period from the time of bite;
(b) If the animal is determined to be free of rabies at the time of the bite;
(c) Upon payment of fees to the County Animal Control/Shelter; and/or
(d) After proof is given to the Animal Control/Shelter of prepayment of a rabies vaccination, and proof of appointment to have the animal vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian within 24 hours after release from the shelter.
(9) For animals not reclaimed after the observation:
(a) If there is no contact from the animal’s owner after the release from observation within three days, the animal becomes the property of the County Animal Control/Shelter and it will be euthanized; or
(b) If the owner makes contact with the County Animal Control/Shelter, and does not know if he or she wants the animal back and leaves the animal, then a time of three days will be given, and if the owner does not come back to get the animal it becomes the property of the County Animal Control/Shelter, and it will be euthanized.
(10) When an animal under observation and/or quarantine has been diagnosed as being rabid, or suspected by a licensed veterinarian as being rabid, or dies while under observation, the County Animal Control/Shelter shall immediately send the head of such animal to the State Health Department for pathological examination. The County Animal Control/Shelter shall then notify the proper public health officer of reports of human contacts, and the diagnosis of the suspected animal.
(11) When reports give a positive diagnosis of rabies, the County Animal Control/Shelter shall recommend a countywide quarantine for a period of 45 days. Upon the invoking of such quarantine, no animal shall be taken into the streets, or permitted to be in the streets, during such quarantine period unless the animal is under control on a leash, with a choke collar, and must be with the owner who must be 18 years of age or older. During such quarantine, no animal shall be taken or shipped from the county without written permission of the County Animal Control/Shelter. Such decision shall be made in conjunction with the State Board of Animal Health and the State Veterinarian.
(12) Any stray animal that has been bitten by an animal adjudged to be rabid shall be destroyed immediately, and tested by the State Rabies Lab.
(a) If an animal is found in violation of the strict confined observation, strict isolation, and/or quarantine guidelines, then the remainder of the strict observation, strict isolation, and/or quarantine will take place at the County Animal Control/Shelter, at the owner’s expense. Some cases will have to be prepaid within three days.
(b) Some cases of expired vaccinations will be evaluated on an case-by-case basis in conjunction with the State Board of Animal Health and the State Veterinarian.
(13) In the event of additional positive cases of rabies occurring during the period of quarantine, such period of quarantine may be extended for an additional six months, or such other period as the County Animal Control/Shelter may deem necessary. Such decision shall be made in conjunction with the State Board of Animal Health and the State Veterinarian.
(14) The carcass of a dead animal exposed to rabies shall, upon demand, be surrendered to the County Animal Control/Shelter.
(15) The County Animal Control/Shelter shall direct the disposition of any animal found to be infected with rabies, in conjunction with the State Board of Animal Health and the State Veterinarian.
(16) Any person refusing to surrender to the County Animal Control/Shelter any animal suspected of being rabid, or exposed to rabies, for strict confined observation, strict isolation, quarantine, or destruction, may be deemed guilty of a chapter violation.
(B) Authority. The County Animal Control/Shelter has been named the designee in the investigation and strict confined observation, strict isolation, and quarantine procedures concerning rabies and animal bites within the county for the County Health Department.
(Ord. 2000-30, passed 12-26-2000) Penalty, see § 91.99