(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CAT. A cat which is a household pet.
DEPARTMENT. The State Department of Health and Human Services.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL. Any dog of the species Canis familiaris, cat of the species Felis domesticus, or ferret of the species Mustela putorius furo.
HYBRID ANIMAL. Any animal which is the product of the breeding of a domestic dog with a nondomestic canine species.
OWN. To possess, keep, harbor, or have control of, charge of, or custody of a domestic or hybrid animal. This term does not apply to domestic or hybrid animals owned by other persons which are temporarily maintained on the premises of a veterinarian or kennel operator for a period of not more than 30 days.
OWNER. Any person possessing, keeping, harboring, or having charge or control of any domestic or hybrid animal or permitting any domestic or hybrid animal to habitually be or remain on or be lodged or fed within the person's house, yard, or premises. This term does not apply to veterinarians or kennel operators temporarily maintaining on their premises domestic or hybrid animals owned by other persons for a period of not more than 30 days.
RABIES CONTROL AUTHORITY. Village health and law enforcement officials who shall enforce the provisions of this section relating to the vaccination and impoundment of domestic or hybrid animals. Such public officials shall not be responsible for any accident or disease of a domestic or hybrid animal resulting from the enforcement of such sections.
VACCINATION AGAINST RABIES. The inoculation of a domestic or hybrid animal with a United States Department of Agriculture-licensed rabies vaccine administered consistent with its labeling. The vaccination shall be performed by a veterinarian duly licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Nebraska or licensed in the state where the vaccination was administered.
(Neb. RS 71-4401)
(B) Suspected. Any dog or cat suspected of being afflicted with rabies, or any dog or cat not vaccinated in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter, which has bitten any person and caused an abrasion of the skin, shall be seized and impounded under the supervision of the Board of Health for a period of not less than ten days. If upon examination by a veterinarian, the dog or cat has no clinical signs of rabies at the end of such impoundment, it may be released to the owner, or, in the case of an unlicensed dog or cat, it shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions herein. If the owner of the dog or cat has proof of vaccination, it shall be confined by the owner or some other responsible person for a period of at least ten days, at which time the dog or cat shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense. If no signs of rabies are observed, the dog or cat may be released from confinement.
(C) Threat; proclamation. It shall be the duty of the governing body whenever in its opinion the danger to the public safety from rabid dogs or cats is great or imminent, to issue a proclamation ordering all persons owning, keeping, or harboring any dog or cat to muzzle the same, or to confine it for a period of not less than 30 days or more than 90 days from the date of such proclamation, or until such danger is passed. The dogs or cats may be harbored by any good and sufficient means in a house, garage, or yard on the premise wherein the said owner may reside. Upon issuing the proclamation it shall be the duty of all persons owning, keeping, or harboring any dog or cat to confine the same as herein provided.
(D) Post-incident management. Any domestic animal which has bitten any person or caused an abrasion of the skin of any person shall be subjected to post-incident management as provided in rules and regulations adopted and promulgated by the department.
(Neb. RS 71-4406)
(E) Domestic or hybrid animal or livestock; post-exposure management. Domestic or hybrid animals or livestock known to have been exposed to a confirmed or suspected rabid animal shall be subjected to post-exposure management as provided in rules and regulations adopted and promulgated by the department.
(Neb. RS 71-4407)
(`75 Code, § 6-106) (Am. Ord. 458, passed 5-12-04; Am. Ord. 611, passed 1-14-20; Am. Ord. 612, passed 1-14-20; Am. Ord. 613, passed 1- 14-20) Penalty, see § 94.99