Every dog or cat or other animal which has been bitten by, or exposed to any animal suspected to have been infected with rabies, shall be forthwith seized and taken up by the Animal Control Officer or any law enforcement officer and securely and separately impounded in the city impound. All such animals shall be quarantined in the impound or at a licensed veterinary hospital for a period of ten days. It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Officer to notify the Public Health Officer of every such animal impounded. If, after observation, under the supervision of the Public Health Officer for such a period, any such animal is adjudged free of rabies, the owner may reclaim the animal, upon payment of the regular keeping fees and upon compliance with licensing requirements. In the event that any animal under quarantine is diagnosed as being rabid, it shall be disposed of only under the orders and directions of the Public Health Officer in his or her absolute discretion.
(Prior Code, § 6.12.010) (Ord. 453, passed - -2018)