(A) Owner known. Upon receipt of credible information that an animal bite incident has occurred, authorized personnel shall make reasonable effort to contact the owner of the animal involved in the incident and advise the owner to place the animal immediately with a licensed and practicing veterinarian of the owner’s choice for a confinement and observation period of a minimum of ten days from the time of the occurrence of the bite. The exact period of confinement and observation may be longer than ten days in the discretion of the veterinarian selected and the owner shall be liable for all such costs incurred.
(B) Failure to comply. Any owner who shall fail to comply with the provisions of this section, within 24 hours of notification, shall be deemed in violation of this section and, if reasonable to do so under the circumstances, the authorized personnel shall take such animal into custody and place it for the above described confinement period with a licensed and practicing veterinarian of the owner’s choice. The owner shall be liable for all cost incurred. If the owner fails or refuses to make such choice or if it is unreasonable under the circumstances for the authorized personnel to place the animal with a veterinarian chosen by the owner as described herein, the authorized personnel will take the animal into custody and place it with an animal welfare organization to be quarantined at the owner’s expense in accordance with division (C) below.
(C) Owner unknown. Upon receipt of credible information that an animal bite incident has occurred, and when the owner cannot be located, authorized personnel shall take the animal into custody and place it with an animal welfare organization for a confinement and observation period of a minimum of ten days from the time of the occurrence of the bite. If, however, at any time during the confinement and observation period the dog becomes dangerous as defined in this chapter, and/or it is determined by a licensed veterinarian that the animal has rabies or some other incurable communicable disease, then the animal may be euthanized at the discretion of an animal welfare organization. If the owner appears and seeks to claim the animal, the provisions of division (A) above shall govern the confinement of the animal. If the owner does not appear to claim the animal within the ten-day period, then the owner shall be deemed to have forfeited all interest in the animal, the animal shall be deemed abandoned, and all interest in the animal shall vest to an animal welfare organization for adoption or other disposition. Should such animal become ill or die within the confinement period, the bite victim or victim’s representative shall be notified by authorized personnel. If the animal is alive and well at the end of the confinement period, the bite victim or victim’s representative shall be notified by authorized personnel.
(D) State law. State law shall be followed concerning the isolation of biting animals for the observation, examination and quarantine, unless the provisions of this chapter require more stringent procedures.
(Prior Code, § 3-115) (Ord. passed 11-7-2011) Penalty, see § 90.999
Statutory reference:
Quarantine of biting dogs, see W.Va Code § 19-20-9a