(A) It is and shall be the duty of a physician in attendance on every case of a human being bitten by an animal to make a report thereof to the LaPorte County Health Department; if no physician is in attendance, if an adult, it shall be that person's duty to make such a report; if the person bitten is a minor, it shall be the duty of the parent or guardian to make such a report.
(B) If any person is a victim of an animal bite, he shall immediately notify the County Health Department of the incident, and provide a description of the animals and the identification, if possible, of the owner. When an animal is determined to have bitten a person, the animal shall be confined in quarantine for a period of not less than ten days. The owner or person having had such custody shall immediately make a report to the County Health Department when and if such animal dies and shall in addition have a licensed veterinarian preserve the head in ice for examination. If the animal lives beyond such period, this fact will also be reported to the County Health Department.
(C) If the owner of an animal which has bitten a person has proof of current rabies vaccination, the animal may be left in the charge of the owner, under quarantine, unless, in the judgment of the animal control officer, and based upon considerations of public safety, the animal control officer determines it should be removed to an animal shelter or veterinary hospital for the period of observation.
(D) In addition to any other legal obligations prescribed by law, the owner shall be liable for all costs incurred in the quarantine of the animal.
(E) (1) If the ownership of the biting animal cannot be determined, or if the owner does not furnish proof of current rabies vaccination, the animal shall be confined for a quarantine period of observation of not less than ten days at a licensed veterinary clinic or hospital. The owner shall be liable for all fees and costs associated with this mandatory quarantine period.
(2) If there is no veterinary clinic or hospital available at which to confine the animal for the required quarantine period, the animal shall be impounded under the authority of the County Animal Control Agency and confined in the county's animal control facility for the period of observation of not less than ten days. Again, the owner is responsible for all fees and costs associated with this mandatory quarantine period.
(F) Animal control officers shall be empowered to enter onto private property for the purpose of impounding animals which are known to have bitten a person and shall obtain legal process to do so if necessary. A daily quarantine fee for smaller animals of $25 for the first day and $15 per each additional day will be charged to such owner until such time the animal is released to the owner or disposed of. A daily quarantine fee for larger animals, such as horses, of $25 per day will be charged to such owner until such time the animal is released to the owner or disposed of.
(G) Unless otherwise provided, the county and any of its agents shall comply with the standards set forth in I.C. 15-17-6-1 through I.C. 15-17-6-14 entitled "Rabies".
(Ord. 2019-8, passed 3-20-19) Penalty, see § 94.99