Subd. 1. Rabies vaccination required. It is unlawful for any person to own, keep, harbor, or maintain any animal over the age of six months which is susceptible to rabies unless that animal is vaccinated against rabies.
Subd. 2. Quarantine of biting animals.
a. Upon a written report being filed with the animal control authority stating that an animal has bitten a human being and setting forth the name of the animal, if known, and the name and address of the owner or custodian, if known, the name of the person bitten and when and where the incident occurred, the Animal Enforcement Officer shall order the animal quarantined for a period of ten days. During quarantine, the animal shall be securely confined and kept from contact with any other animals.
b. At the discretion of the Animal Enforcement Officer, the quarantine may be on the premises of the owner. If the Animal Enforcement Officer so requires, the owner shall, at his or her own expense, place the animal in a veterinary hospital for the period of confinement or surrender the animal to the Animal Enforcement Officer for confinement. The animal shall not be released from confinement until the Animal Control Officer has determined that the animal is free from rabies and until the owner has paid the costs of any veterinary tests made upon the animal as well as the costs of any confinement on premises other than that of the owner.
c. If the costs are not paid by the owner or custodian within ten days following written notice to the owner or custodian that the animal is available for release, the Animal Enforcement Officer shall forthwith cause the animal to be surrendered to the Animal Humane Society or to be euthanized.
d. Any person who shall fail to deliver to the Animal Enforcement Officer any animal which has bitten a human being and against which a sworn, written complaint has been filed shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Each day's neglect or failure to comply with the provisions of this subdivision shall be deemed a separate offense.
e. A dog or other animal displaying symptoms of being rabid, may be seized at any place or time and shall be confined in the city impounding facility at the expense of the owner until found to be free from rabies.
f. If a dog or other animal appears to be diseased, vicious, dangerous, rabid, or has been exposed to rabies, and the dog or other animal cannot be impounded without serious risk of personal injury, the dog or other animal may be destroyed if reasonably necessary for the safety of any person or person.
Subd. 3. Rabies in city, proclamation. The city adopts M.S. § 35.68 and M.S. § 35.69 and any revisions thereof regarding rabies proclamations.
(Ord. 504, passed 10-28-2013)