(A) Rabies control.
(1) Every animal which bites a person shall be promptly reported to the Chief of Police or designee and shall thereupon be securely quarantined at the direction of the Chief of Police or designee for a period of 14 days, and shall not be released from quarantine except by written permission of the city. In the discretion of the Chief of Police, the quarantine may be on the premises of the owner or at the veterinary hospital of his or her choice. If the animal is quarantined on the premises of the owner, the city shall have access to the animal at any reasonable time for study and observation of rabies symptoms. In the case of a stray animal or in the case of an animal whose ownership is not known, the quarantine shall be at the animal pound or, at the discretion of the Chief of Police, the animal may be confined in a veterinary hospital designated by him or her.
(2) (a) The owners, upon demand made by the Police Department or by any other city employee empowered by the Council to enforce this subchapter, shall forthwith surrender any animal which has bitten a human, or which is suspected as having been exposed to rabies, for the purpose of supervised quarantine.
(b) The expenses of the quarantine shall be borne by the owner and the animal may be reclaimed by the owner if adjudged free of rabies upon payment of fees set forth in this subchapter and upon compliance with licensing provisions set forth in this subchapter.
(3) When an animal under quarantine and diagnosed as being rabid or suspected by a licensed veterinarian as being rabid dies or is killed, the city shall immediately send the head of the animal and rabies data report to the State Health Department for pathological examination and shall notify all persons concerned of the results of the examination.
(4) The city shall issue proclamation and take action when rabies is suspected or exists as is required by state statutes.
(B) Reports of bite cases. It is the duty of every physician, or other practitioner, to report to the Chief of Police the names and addresses of persons treated for bites inflicted by animals, together with other information as will be helpful in rabies control.
(C) Responsibility of veterinarians. It is the duty of every licensed veterinarian to report to the Chief of Police his or her diagnosis of an animal observed by him or her as a rabies suspect.
(2004 Code, § 93.26) (Ord. 13-0705, passed 4-9-2013)