Any dog suspected by an animal control officer of being afflicted with rabies, or any dog that has bitten any person, causing an abrasion of the skin of the person, and for which a valid certificate or rabies vaccination is not exhibited, shall be impounded by such officer, under the supervision of a veterinarian or of a public health authority designated by the City Manager, provided, if after diligent inquiry for a period of 24 hours, ownership of such dog or a valid certificate of rabies vaccination cannot be determined, such officer may cause such dog to be destroyed. Any dog that has bitten any person, causing an abrasion of the skin of the person, but for which a valid certificate of rabies vaccination is exhibited, shall be confined by the owner or some other responsible person, as required by any officer authorized to enforce this article, for a period of not less than ten days. At the expiration of such period, the dog shall be examined by a veterinarian. If no symptoms of rabies then are observed by the veterinarian, the dog, upon payment of fees and charges and, as the case may be, execution of an agreement as provided in this section, may be released; otherwise, the dog shall be destroyed. Fees shall be paid and, if the dog has not been licensed or a valid certificate of rabies vaccination is not exhibited, the person to whom the dog is to be released shall enter into an agreement with the city as provided in this chapter with respect to impounded dogs generally. In addition, such person shall either exhibit to the City Clerk a receipt from the veterinarian of payment in full of the charges of the veterinarian for his or her services in examining the dog, or pay to the City Clerk an amount equal to the reasonable value of such services as determined by the City Clerk.
(Ord. 2695, passed - -1981)