(a) No person having knowledge of the existence of rabies in an animal, or knowledge that an animal has exhibited symptoms or behavior suggestive of rabies, or knowledge that an animal has bitten any person, shall fail to immediately report such information to the Health Department or the Police Administrator.
(b) Whenever it is established by the Health Commissioner, the local Magistrate or the local game warden that any animal has bitten any person or exhibits symptoms or behavior suggestive of rabies, the person who owns, harbors or otherwise cares for such animal shall confine it in close quarantine and isolation or shall place such animal in the establishment of a veterinarian until, in either case, it is determined by the Health Department that the animal is not afflicted with rabies. The isolation and quarantine period hereby required shall be not less than ten days from the date the person was bitten. If the animal has, or develops, any symptoms suspicious of rabies during the ten-day period, the Health Department shall be notified immediately. All expenses incurred for the keeping of such animal, or the necessary tests to determine whether rabies exists, shall be borne exclusively by the person who owns, harbors or otherwise cares for such animal. If at any time during the quarantine, the Health Commissioner requires the dog or cat to be examined for symptoms of rabies, such examination shall be done in conjunction with the Humane Society and the Ohio Department of Health by current established procedures.
(c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor and shall be subject to the penalty provided in Section 698.02.
(Ord. 04-19. Passed 5-3-04.)