(A) (1) Any dog found to be without current inoculations which shall have bitten or otherwise injured any person so as to cause an abrasion of the skin shall be immediately taken, impounded and kept separated from other dogs for ten days. If, during that period, such dog develops symptoms of illness, a veterinarian shall be called to diagnose its condition. If the symptoms disclosed are such as to indicate the presence of rabies, such dog shall be destroyed, in such a manner, however, as to preserve intact the head, which shall thereupon be detached and immediately sent to the diagnostic laboratory of the Department of Agriculture. In case such dog cannot be safely taken up and impounded, it may be shot, care being taken to preserve the head intact, which shall thereupon be immediately detached and be delivered to the diagnostic laboratory of the Department of Agriculture.
(2) If, at the expiration of the period of ten days, no symptoms of rabies have developed in such dog so impounded, the same may be redeemed by the owner upon payment of the redemption fees and charges specified by § 3-1-10; provided, however, that in case any dog so impounded for biting a person shall have previously bitten any person, such dog shall be humanely destroyed by the pound keeper. After having been notified that his or her dog has bitten or otherwise injured any person, the owner or keeper thereof shall not, under any circumstances, permit such animal to be at large unless securely muzzled.
(B) Any dog found to have current inoculations which shall have bitten or otherwise injured any person so as to cause an abrasion of the skin may be released for home confinement at the discretion of the Police Officer. Home confinement shall be in a house, or in a manner which will prohibit it from biting any person for a period of ten days. If, during that period, such dog develops symptoms of illness, a veterinarian shall be called to diagnose its condition. If the symptoms disclosed are such as to indicate the presence of rabies, such dog shall be destroyed, in such a manner, however, as to preserve intact the head, which shall thereupon be detached and immediately sent to the diagnostic laboratory of the Department of Agriculture. In case such dog cannot be safely taken up and impounded, it may be shot, care being taken to preserve the head intact, which shall thereupon be immediately detached and be delivered to the diagnostic laboratory of the Department of Agriculture. All fees and cost associated with the testing of the dog are the responsibility of the owner.
(1993 Code, § 3-1-12) (Ord. 517, passed 12-18-1972; Am. Ord. 1703, passed 8-15-2016)