(A) Confinement and observation by a licensed veterinarian. It shall be the duty of such owner of a biting animal, upon receiving notice from the Health Officer, to deliver said animal within 24 hours to a licensed veterinarian for confinement and observation for a period of ten days, at the expense of the owner. The licensed veterinarian confining and observing the biting animal shall report that the animal has been presented for confinement and observation immediately by telephone, fax, email, in person, or by means other than use of the mail. The licensed veterinarian confining and observing the biting animal shall also report the clinical condition of the animal in writing to the Health Officer within 24 hours on forms provided by the Lake County Health Department. Within 24 hours after the end of confinement and observation period, the licensed veterinarian shall report to the Health Officer the disposition of the animal on forms provided by the Lake County Health Department.
(B) Confinement in a house. If the Health Officer provides notice allowing a biting animal to be confined and observed in a house, and if during the ten-day period the animal becomes ill, dies or escapes, the owner shall immediately notify the Health Officer by telephone, fax, email, in person, or by means other than the mail. Within 24 hours of the end of the ten-day confinement period, the owner shall present the biting animal for examination by a licensed veterinarian. The licensed veterinarian shall report the clinical condition of the animal in writing to the Health Officer within 24 hours on forms provided by the Lake County Health Department. If the biting animal escapes from house confinement during the ten-day confinement period, the owner shall immediately apprehend it and deliver it to a licensed veterinarian for confinement and observation, at the expense of the owner, for the remainder of the ten-day period.
(C) Inoculation prior to release from confinement. At the expense of the owner, a biting animal four months or older not currently inoculated against rabies, as provided elsewhere in this chapter shall be inoculated against rabies prior to being released from confinement.
(D) Specimen submission in lieu of confinement. When a wild animal is involved in a bite, and/or if a biting animal is unable to be confined for observation for any reason, the biting animal shall be humanely dispatched and their brain shall be submitted to a recognized laboratory for rabies examination by the Health Officer.
(E) Animal to animal bites; confinement and observation requirements. When the Lake County Health Department receives a report that an animal has bitten another animal, the Health Officer may require confinement and observation of the biting animal as follows.
(1) If the biting animal is currently inoculated against rabies, it shall be confined in a house and observed for a period of ten days. Within 24 hours of the end of the ten-day confinement period, the owner shall present the biting animal for examination by a licensed veterinarian. The licensed veterinarian shall report the clinical condition of the animal in writing to the Health Officer within 24 hours on forms provided by the Lake County Health Department. If the biting animal escapes from house confinement during the ten-day confinement period, the owner shall immediately apprehend it and deliver it to a licensed veterinarian for confinement and observation, at the expense of the owner, for the remainder of the ten-day period.
(2) If the biting animal is not currently inoculated against rabies, it shall be the duty of such owner of a biting animal, upon receiving notice from the Health Officer, to deliver said animal within 24 hours to a licensed veterinarian for examination at the expense of the owner. The licensed veterinarian examining the biting animal shall report the clinical condition of the animal in writing to the Health Officer within 24 hours on forms provided by the Lake County Health Department. After the biting animal has been examined and released by the licensed veterinarian, it shall be confined in a house and observed for a period of ten days. Within 24 hours of the end of the ten-day confinement period, the owner shall present the biting animal for examination by a licensed veterinarian. The licensed veterinarian shall report the clinical condition of the animal in writing to the Health Officer within 24 hours on forms provided by the Lake County Health Department. If the biting animal escapes from house confinement during the ten-day confinement period, the owner shall immediately apprehend it and deliver it to a licensed veterinarian for confinement and observation, at the expense of the owner, for the remainder of the ten-day period.
(Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 11-9-1976; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 4-10-1979; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 10-9-1984; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 12-20-1984; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 6-11-1990; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 1-10-1995; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 11-12-1996; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 3-15-2011; Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. X], passed 1-15-2013)