(a) Whenever a person is bitten by a dog, the owner of such dog shall, within twenty-four (24) hours of the incident or obtaining knowledge thereof, take it to a veterinarian licensed by the State whose office is within Perry County for examination and shall report the name, address and telephone number of such veterinarian to the Health Commissioner by notifying the Police Department. Any veterinarian who makes an examination of a dog that has bitten a person shall promptly report the result of his examination to the Health Commissioner.
(b) Any dog inflicting a bite upon any person shall be confined in the Perry County Animal Shelter or in a hospital of a veterinarian licensed by the State whose office is within Perry County or, with the approval of the Health Commissioner, within the residence of the owner until it is determined that the animal is not afflicted with rabies. Such isolation period hereby required shall not be less than ten (10) days from the date the person was bitten. Provided, however, if such biting or such examination, is during the period of an epidemic of rabies and a quarantine has been declared within the City of New Lexington, the period of isolation shall not be less than twenty-one (21) days from the date the person was bitten.
(c) If the owner of any dog inflicting a bite upon any person cannot be found, or fails or refuses to make the necessary arrangements with a veterinarian for the examination and isolation of such dog, then the Health Commissioner shall, in addition to any criminal penalties which may be imposed against the owner under this section, cause such dog to be seized and impounded for isolation and examination as hereinabove provided.
(d) The owner shall be responsible for all costs incurred in connection with the impounding and examination required by this Section, and the animal shall not be released until such costs are paid.
(e) Any animal which is seized or impounded but not redeemed may be disposed of as provided by Ohio R.C. 955.16.
(f) Any owner of a dog who violates or fails to comply with this Section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, and any other person who violates or fails to comply with this Section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Whoever violates or fails to comply with any other provisions of this Section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation or noncompliance occurs or continues.