(A) The owner of an animal that has bitten a human commits an offense if he fails to submit the animal to the Animal Control Manager for quarantine immediately upon notification by the Animal Control Manager of a biting incident.
(B) The owner of an animal that is suspected of being rabid commits an offense if he fails to submit the animal to the Animal Control Manager for quarantine immediately when ordered by the Animal Control Manager to do so.
(C) The Animal Control Manager shall follow these procedures for quarantining and testing:
(1) When a dog or cat has bitten a human, the dog or cat shall be placed in quarantine in a facility specified by the Animal Control Manager and approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
(2) When an animal that has not bitten a human is suspected of having rabies, it shall be placed in quarantine for ten days in a facility specified by the Animal Control Manager and approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
(3) Upon the request of the owner of a dog or cat which has bitten a human, and at the sole discretion of the Animal Control Manager, the Animal Control Manager may permit home quarantine for the animal if the following criteria can be met:
(a) The animal was currently vaccinated against rabies at the time of the bite or scratch;
(b) The animal was not at-large at the time of the bite;
(c) The animal's owner has secure facilities at his home for the animal which have been approved by the Animal Control Manager;
(d) The Animal Control Manager or a licensed veterinarian must observe the animal on at least the first and eighth days of the quarantine period;
(e) If the animal becomes ill during the observation period, the person with possession of the animal must notify the Animal Control Manager;
(f) The owner must sign an agreement to abide by the quarantine rules; and
(g) At the end of the quarantine period, the animal shall be observed by a licensed veterinarian and the veterinarian will generate a letter authorizing the release of the animal from quarantine.
(4) If the Animal Control Manager is in possession of a dog or cat which has bitten a human, and such animal is designated as unowned, the Animal Control Manager may cause such animal to be euthanized, and shall submit the animal's brain to a Texas Department of State Health Services certified laboratory for rabies diagnosis.
(5) If the animal which has bitten a human is a high risk animal, the Animal Control Manager shall cause such animal to be euthanized, and shall submit the animal's brain to a Texas Department of State Health Services certified laboratory for rabies diagnosis.
(6) If the animal which has bitten a human is a low risk animal, the Animal Control Manager shall cause the animal to be euthanized, and shall submit its brain for rabies diagnosis by a Texas Department of State Health Services certified laboratory if the Animal Control Manager has cause to believe the animal is rabid. If the Animal Control Manager has no cause to believe the animal is rabid, then neither quarantining nor testing will be required.
(7) If the animal, including a dog or cat, which has bitten a human, inflicted multiple bite wounds, lacerations or punctures to a person, the Animal Control Manager may cause the animal to be euthanized, and shall submit the animal's brain to a Texas Department of State Health Services certified laboratory for rabies diagnosis.
(8) If the animal which has bitten a human is not included in divisions (C)(1), (C)(2), (C)(3), (C)(4), (C)(5), (C)(6) or (C)(7) of this section, the Animal Control Manager shall cause the animal to be euthanized, and shall submit the animal's brain to a Texas Department of State Health Services certified laboratory for rabies diagnosis.
(9) The Animal Control Manager shall cause to be euthanized any animal required to be quarantined under this division (C) which cannot be maintained in a secure quarantine, and shall submit the animal's brain to a Texas Department of State Health Services certified laboratory for rabies diagnosis.
(10) The Animal Control Manager shall follow the rules promulgated by the Texas Department of State Health Services when submitting an animal brain for testing.
(11) The Animal Control Manager may euthanize an unowned animal prior to the end of the quarantine, and have the brain tested for rabies.
(12) All quarantined animals shall be separated from all other animals in such a manner that there is no possibility of physical contact between animals.
(Ord. OR-1787-10, passed 10-11-10; Am. Ord. OR-2143-19, passed 8-26-19)