(A) An unlicensed or unvaccinated dog or cat that bites any person shall be confined and quarantined in an authorized pound or, at the expense of the owner, at a veterinary hospital for a period of not less than ten days. A dog properly licensed and vaccinated pursuant to this subchapter that bites any person may be confined and quarantined at the home of the owner or wherever the dog is harbored and maintained with the consent of and in a manner prescribed by the enforcement agent.
(B) Any animal other than a dog or cat that bites any person shall be confined and quarantined in an authorized pound or, at the expense of the owner, at a veterinary hospital for a period of not less than 14 days; provided that, livestock shall be confined and quarantined for the 14-day period in a manner regulated by the state’s Livestock Board. If the animal is a caged rodent, it may be confined and quarantined at the home of the owner or where it is harbored or maintained, for the required period of time, with the consent of an in a manner prescribed by the enforcement agent.
(C) Any wild animal which bites any person may be killed and submitted to the enforcement agent or his or her deputies for transmission to an appropriate diagnostic laboratory.
(D) Whenever an animal bites any person, the incident shall be reported to the enforcement agent immediately by any person having direct knowledge.
(E) The town enforcement agent may destroy any animal confined and quarantined pursuant to this subchapter prior to the termination of the minimum confinement period for laboratory examination for rabies if:
(1) Such animal shows clear clinical signs of rabies; and/or
(2) The owner of such animal consents to its destruction.
(F) Any animal subject to licensing under this subchapter found without a tag identifying its owner shall be deemed unowned.
(G) The enforcement agent shall destroy a vicious animal upon an order of a justice of the peace or a Town Magistrate. A Justice of the Peace or Town Magistrate may issue such an order after notice to the owner, if any, and a hearing.
(Prior Code, § 6-2-11) (Ord. 01-07, passed - -2001)