(A) When any owner of an animal has been notified that the animal has, or is suspected to have, bitten or attacked any person, he or she must, within 24 hours, place the animal under the care and observation (quarantine) of the city or a licensed veterinarian for a period of not less ten days, except in those cases where an animal has bitten or attacked while on the premises of the owner and the owner has a current rabies vaccination for the animal, in which case, the city may, if it feels that the facilities are adequate and if the owner is a responsible person, quarantine the animal on the owner’s premises. In this case, the owner must sign a statement acknowledging the understanding of the responsibility and assuming the liability that is involved with the quarantine of the animal that has bitten. The quarantined animal must, at all times, be available for inspection by the city or its agents during the quarantine period. At the end of the quarantine period, the animal shall be examined by the city and, if cleared, the quarantine reflect and, if applicable, reclaimed by the owner. The owner must pay the expense incurred incident thereto. Any animal not claimed within five calendar days may be disposed of as provided under the provisions of this section. Any animal placed under quarantine showing active signs of rabies, suspected of having rabies or known to have been exposed to rabies, shall be confined under competent observation of a licensed veterinarian for such time as may be deemed necessary to determine a diagnosis. Any animal that has bitten or attacked that cannot be captured may be destroyed in a manner that the head is not damaged and can be submitted for a rabies examination to a laboratory.
(B) Any person who shall suspect that an animal in the city is infected with rabies shall report the animal to the law enforcement officials describing the animal and giving the names and address of the owner, if known.
(C) Any rabid animal may be destroyed by the law enforcement officials or a licensed veterinarian upon a diagnosis of rabies by a licensed veterinarian.
(D) Whenever it is determined that there is a substantial danger of the existence or spread of rabies in the city and the same is confirmed by the public health officer having jurisdiction over the city, the Mayor, upon receipt of the facts, may, by proclamation, and in the interests of public safety and the general welfare of the citizenry, order all animals muzzled when off the premises of the owner. After the giving of notice of the proclamation as required for the adoption of emergency ordinances, all animals found off the premises of the owner and which are unmuzzled shall be seized and impounded or may be immediately destroyed if all reasonable effort including use of tranquilizer guns fail and the animal remains running at large. All animals seized and impounded shall be held for an observation period of not less than ten days and may be claimed by the owner after examination and clearance by a licensed veterinarian certifying that the animal is free from rabies. The cost of the maintenance and examination must be paid prior to release by the owner. Any animal not claimed shall be kept for an additional five calendar days and may be disposed of as provided under the provisions of this section.
(Prior Code, § 10.11)