A. Inoculation Against Rabies: The owner of any dog which is kept within the County outside the limits of any incorporated city, shall, after his dog has obtained the age of six (6) months and at such intervals as may be prescribed by the rules and regulations by the State Department of Agriculture, procure the inoculation of each such dog by a licensed veterinarian, with a canine anti-rabies vaccine approved by the State Department of Agriculture.
B. Impoundment:
1. If there is reason to believe that a dog has rabies, such dog may be confined by a special officer of the County and placed under observation of a veterinarian or at the animal shelter at the expense of the owner for a period of ten (10) days. The owner of a dog who believes his dog has rabies shall notify the special officer of the County of such fact and at his discretion, the special officer of the county is empowered to have such dog removed from the owner’s premises to a veterinary hospital or to the animal shelter and there placed under observation for a period of ten (10) days at the expense of the owner.
2. In the event that a dog bites a human being and which dog has not had a rabies inoculation as provided by this section, the special officer of the County shall place such animal under observation of a veterinarian or at the animal shelter at the expense of the owner for a period of ten (10) days. In the event the dog bites a human being and the owner can provide proof of a current rabies inoculation as provided in this section, the special officer may in his discretion place the animal under the observation of a veterinarian or at the animal shelter in accordance with the vicious animal provisions herein.
3. It shall be the duty and responsibility of any person with knowledge thereof to report any animal bite to a special officer, animal control officer, or Sheriff’s office, and to provide all information requested. (Ord. 2020-04, 12-21-2020)