(a) Whenever it is shown that an animal has bitten a person or shows signs of being infected with rabies, the owner/guardian, keeper or harborer of such animal, within 24 hours following the biting incident or upon any reason stated in this section, shall take and remove such animal to a qualified veterinarian for examination, and subsequently, on the tenth day following such original examination by the veterinarian, permit re-examination of such animal by the veterinarian. After such animal is first examined, it shall be confined, during the ten-day period until the second examination is completed, in the animal clinic, kennel or hospital where examined, or secured at the home of the owner/guardian, keeper or harborer of such animal, inaccessible to the public at large. The animal shall not be released from quarantine until there is provided a written report, signed by the examining veterinarian, setting forth the dates of examinations of such animal and the results thereof, and proof that such animal had or has a current rabies vaccination and the date the vaccine was given. Such report must be submitted within 24 hours following the last examination. If the animal dies prior to the tenth day of examination, as provided in this subsection, the owner/guardian, keeper or harborer of such animal shall immediately contact the Animal Warden, who shall arrange for the removal of the animal to a qualified laboratory for examination. Under no circumstances shall the owner/guardian, keeper or harborer of such animal purposely destroy the animal prior to compliance with this section.
(b) If the owner/guardian, keeper or harborer of such animal fails to comply with any such order of the Animal Warden within 24 hours of the notification that such order has been served upon the owner/guardian, keeper or harborer, the Warden or a police officer may take such animal into custody and place the same in quarantine. An animal subject to rabies and known to have bitten a person shall be immediately surrendered to the Warden on his or her demand. An animal surrendered to the custody of the Warden shall be quarantined for a period not to exceed 180 days, as directed by the Warden. At the end of the expiration of such period, such animal shall be removed by the owner/guardian from the place of quarantine if such animal is declared by the Warden to be free from rabies. Expenses of the quarantine of such animal shall be charged to the owner/guardian, keeper or harborer thereof.
(c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor for a first offense. For each subsequent offense, such person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. The penalty shall be as provided in Section 698.02.
(Ord. 45-06. Passed 11-20-06; Ord. 157-11. Passed 7-5-11.)