(A) Upon determination by the A.C. Officer/S. Worker, or a law enforcement officer, that an animal is vicious, the animal shall be impounded. The A.C. Officer shall have the right, and shall be empowered, to capture and impound the vicious animal. Upon impounding the animal, the A.C. Officer/S. Worker shall schedule a hearing before the Animal Control Board to be held within seven calendar days for an order to destroy the animal. Notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing shall be immediately given to the owner of the animal, if known, at least three calendar days prior to the hearing. Upon finding that the animal is vicious, the Board, subject to judicial review, may order the animal to be subjected to a humane form of euthanasia, or may order such other measures deemed necessary to be performed by the owner to control the animal. In the event that the Board finds that the animal is not vicious, the animal shall be returned to the owner; provided, the owner pays the costs for impoundment and any veterinarian costs incurred while at the shelter. The owner must also complete any measures deemed necessary to control the animal. Notice of intent to seek judicial review of the Board’s order shall be delivered by the owner, in writing, within three calendar days of receipt of that order to the Animal Control Board, or the A.C. Officer/S. Worker. The owner shall, thereupon, file a petition to seek judicial review with the County Circuit Court within ten calendar days of delivery of his or her notice of intent.
(B) All bite cases involving humans should be immediately reported to the County Health Department, by the A.C. Officer/S. Worker, or the police agency in whose area the attack occurs.
(C) The animal responsible for the bite shall be quarantined at the animal shelter for a ten-day period to determine if the animal was capable of transmitting rabies at the time of the biting incident, or the head of the biting animal can be submitted to a state department laboratory to determine if it is infected with rabies.
(D) The bite victim shall be notified by the A.C. Officer/S. Worker after the animal has passed the ten-day observation period in a healthy state, or after the results of a laboratory test is available.
(E) On the tenth day of quarantine, the animal must be vaccinated for rabies prior to leaving the shelter.
(Ord. 2018-04, passed 6-5-2018) Penalty, see § 10.99