Whenever it appears to be in the public interest, the county commissioners may issue a proclamation declaring that a rabies emergency exists and ordering every person owning or keeping a dog or cat to confine it securely during the emergency unless such dog or cat shall at all times wear a muzzle of sufficient strength to prevent the biting of any person or animal. Any such emergency shall be for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days except that the period may be extended by the board of county commissioners upon a finding by the board that the conditions of emergency still exist. Any unmuzzled dog or cat running at large during the period of any such emergency shall be forthwith impounded unless such dog or cat is noticeably infected with rabies. All dogs or cats noticeably infected with rabies shall be forthwith killed by the animal control officer or any duly authorized person and without notice to the owner. The impoundment of any dog or cat taken pursuant to this section shall be in accordance with all other sections hereof. If any impounded dog or cat appears to be suffering from rabies, it shall not be released until it is examined by a veterinarian or other qualified person. (MC Ord. 102A § 2, 1986)