A. Every dog or cat which has bitten a person, or is suspected of having bitten a person, shall be quarantined away from other animals for a period of ten (10) days from the date of the bite, or other period of time as determined by the State Department of Health Services. The Animal Control Officer may order the animal quarantined at the shelter, at a private veterinarian clinic, or at the home of the owner, depending on the conditions of the bite, the severity of the bite, previous bite history, the owner's ability to satisfy quarantine orders, and whether or not local ordinances were in observance at the time of the bite.
B. If the animal does not have a current rabies vaccination, it shall not be vaccinated until the end of the quarantine period.
C. The Animal Control Officer may cause to be humanely destroyed any dog or cat when, in the opinion of a veterinarian or animal health technician, such confinement as described in paragraph (A) is impossible or impractical. In such cases, the Animal Control Officer shall arrange to have the head of such dog or cat examined for rabies. If the opinion of a veterinarian or animal health technician is not reasonably obtainable, the Officer may act on his or her own opinion.
D. All expenses incurred with the enforcement of the provisions of this Section shall be borne by the owner or custodian of the dog or cat.
(Ord. MC-833, 5-19-92)