(A) Rabies vaccination required. It is unlawful to own or harbor a dog or cat over the age of six months without a valid rabies vaccination.
(B) Animals biting persons. If an owned or stray animal has bitten a person, the animal shall be impounded in the Agency Shelter, veterinary hospital, or kennel, or the owner’s property, at the discretion of the animal control officer, at the owner’s expense. This impoundment shall be for a period of ten days. If the animal dies during that period it shall, at the owner’s expense, be sent to the proper authorities to determine whether or not it was rabid. If the owner cannot be found, existing state law shall prevail.
(C) Disposition of exposed animals. Any animal that has been bitten by an animal known to have rabies shall be confined for a period up to six weeks at the owner’s expense or be destroyed.
(D) Duties of the owner of a suspect animal. It is unlawful for any owner knowing an animal to have rabies to allow the animal to leave his or her premises, except to be taken to the Agency Shelter or to a veterinarian. Every owner, upon ascertaining an animal is rabid, shall immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement agency.
(1987 Code, § 6-124.1) (Ord. 13, 1995, passed 5-8-1995; Am. Ord. 1, 2000, passed 1-24-2000; Am. Ord. 19, 2001, passed 8-27-2001) Penalty, see § 97.99