(A) Reporting of animal bite. Every person, including veterinarians, who know, learn or suspect that a warm-blooded animal has bitten, scratched or caused an abrasion of the skin of any human being shall immediately report that fact to the County Health Department. All reports must be submitted on a form approved by the County Health Department entitled “Animal Bite Report.” Upon receipt of an Animal Bite Report, the County Health Department and/or the Animal Control Officer shall immediately contact the owner or person having control of such animal and determine whether or not the animal is being confined as required by this code.
(B) Reporting of suspected rabid animal. Every person, including veterinarians, who discover or suspect that a warm-blooded animal has rabies shall immediately report such facts to the County Health Department and/or the Animal Control Officer, the name and address of the owner or person having control of such animal and the license number, if any, of the animal.
(C) Confinement of suspected rabid animal. Any warm-blooded animal which has bitten, scratched or caused an abrasion of the skin of any human being and warm-blooded animal that is known or suspected of being rabid shall be confined for a period of not less than ten days. All animals which are required to be confined shall be confined in a completely enclosed building or secure enclosure with no means of escape. If the owner or person having control of such animal cannot confine the animal in such a manner, then the animal will be confined in an appropriate Animal Shelter. The owner or person having custody of any animal so confined shall be responsible for the cost of confinement.
(D) Confinement of suspected rabid animal of unknown owner. If a warm-blooded animal has bitten a human being or is known or suspected of being rabid and its owner or person having custody of such animal is unknown or refuses to confine the animal as required herein, then the animal shall be confined at an Animal Shelter or destroyed. The owner or person having custody of such animal, if known, or later found to be known, of any animal so confined shall be responsible for the cost of confinement.
(E) Sale or transfer of suspected rabid animal. It shall be unlawful for the owner or person having custody of any warm-blooded animal, when notified that such animal has bitten, scratched or caused an abrasion of the skin of any human being or when notified by any person that such animal is suspected of being rabid, to sell, give away, allow to escape or be taken beyond the limits of the town boundary, but it shall be the duty of the owner or person having custody of such animal upon receiving such notice to confine the animal for at least ten days as set forth herein.
(F) Release from quarantine. After the expiration of at least ten days of confinement and after the County Health Department determines that the animal is no longer suspected of being rabid, the animal may be released from confinement. The owner or person having custody of such animal is responsible for the cost of the quarantine confinement.
(G) Extermination of rabid animal. If it should be determined that an animal is rabid, then it shall be killed by a licensed veterinarian. The head of the animal is to be removed and transported to the State Board of Health. The cost of removal of the head and transportation of the head shall be the responsibility of the owner or person having custody of such animal. If the owner or person having custody of such animal is unknown or refuses to pay the cost of removal and transportation of the head, then the Township Trustee shall be responsible for these costs.
(H) Death of animal during confinement. If any animal shall die while being confined as required by this section, the head of the animal shall be removed by a veterinarian or the Animal Control Officer and transported to the State Board of Health. The cost of removal of the head and transportation of the head shall be the responsibility of the owner or person having custody of such animal. If the owner or person having custody of such animal refuses to pay the cost of the removal and transportation of the head, and the animal is a dog, then the Township Trustee shall be responsible for these costs.
(Ord. 070196B, passed 7-1-96) Penalty, see § 93.99