A. Notification Required: It shall be unlawful for the owner of an animal or any veterinarian examining an animal which shows signs of rabies, or which acts in a manner which would lead a person to believe that such animal may have rabies to fail to notify the animal control officer immediately by telephone or by person.
B. Investigation; Confinement Of Animal: The animal control officer shall investigate each report of an animal which shows signs of rabies or acts in a manner which would lead a person to believe that the animal may have rabies. Upon determination by the animal control officer or a licensed veterinarian that an animal may be affected with rabies, the owner of such animal shall be required by the animal control officer to surrender the animal to the animal control officer or a licensed veterinarian for confinement for a period of time as determined by the Illinois department of agriculture.
C. Destruction Of Infected Animal: When the animal confined is determined to be infected with rabies by the examining veterinarian, the animal control officer shall order the animal humanely destroyed and examined for rabies by a laboratory licensed to perform rabies virus analysis (FRA test). A copy of this order shall be given to the owner of the animal or mailed to the last known address of the owner. Any animal capable of transmitting rabies in direct contact with the rabid animal whether or not the exposed animal has been inoculated with rabies shall be confined as recommended by the animal control officer. The animal control officer may order the exposed animal euthanized.
D. Release Or Disposal Of Healthy Animal:
1. If the animal confined is determined not to be infected with rabies at the end of the period of confinement, it shall be released to the owner of such animal upon presenting proof of a current rabies inoculation certificate for cats and dogs and payment of any fee, charge or penalty including any fee for veterinary services.
2. If the animal is not redeemed by the owner, the animal may be disposed of in accordance with state law.
E. Compliance With State Regulations: Whenever a case of rabies occurs in a locality, or whenever the proper officials of a government unit are apprehensive of the spread of rabies, the animal control officer shall act as directed by the rules and regulations of the Illinois department of agriculture. (Ord. 747, 1-8-1992)