Whenever the owner or person in control of any animal is informed that such animal has bitten a human being, or suspects that the animal is infected with rabies, he shall immediately report the same to the local health department and to the police department, and shall immediately confine such animal. At the discretion of the local health officer or animal control officer, any animal which bites or otherwise exposes a person shall be isolated in strict confinement in a place and manner approved by the local health officer or animal control officer and observed for at least fourteen days (dogs and cats, ten days) after the day of infliction of the bite, with the exception that the following alternative to the ten-day isolation of dogs and cats is permitted: Dogs or cats which have been isolated in strict confinement under proper care and under observation of a licensed veterinarian, in a pound, veterinary hospital or other adequate facility in a manner approved by the local health officer or animal control officer, may be released from isolation by the local health officer or animal control officer after five days of veterinary observation if, upon conducting a thorough physical examination on the fifth day or more after infliction of the bite, the observing veterinarian certifies that there are no clinical signs or symptoms of any systemic disease. If it appears at any time during such period that the animal has rabies, the health officer or animal control officer shall cause the animal to be destroyed. If at the end of the fourteen-day period or such other period as may be prescribed by the state Department of Public Health, it appears that the animal does not have rabies, it shall be released upon payment to the superintendent of a sum for its care during the period, together with an impounding fee as set forth in the municipal fee schedule; provided, however, that no impounding fee shall be charged to an owner or custodian of an animal who immediately transports such animal to the animal center.
The health officer or animal control officer or his duly authorized representative is empowered to enter upon any public or private premises, in accordance with the procedures provided by law, within the city for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this section and he is empowered to call upon the police officers of the city for assistance in enforcing such provisions. The owner of any animal which is reported to have bitten on two or more occasions may be required to obtain a permit for keeping a dangerous animal, as pursuant in Chapter 6.28, following investigation of reported bites and recommendation by the superintendent of the animal center.
(Ord. 3257 § 8 (part), 1981: Ord. 2960 § 42, 1976: Ord. 2669 § 15, 1972: Ord. 1297, 1950: prior code § 18.33)