(A) When a dog or cat which has bitten a human has been identified, the owner shall be required to place the animal in quarantine as required by the Rabies Control Act of 1981, being Tex. Health and Safety Code, §§ 826.001 et seq., and the amendments and rules of the State Board of Health in effect at that time. Expenses incurred by the quarantine of animals, either vaccinated or unvaccinated, shall be the sole responsibility of the owner or custodian.
(B) When the owner requests the agent of the city to transport the bite animal for purposes of quarantine, the city shall receive a "transport fee" of $25 to be paid by the owner.
(C) No wild animal will be placed in quarantine. All wild animals involved in biting incidents will be humanely killed in such a manner that the brain is not mutilated. The brain shall be submitted to a State Department of Health laboratory for rabies diagnosis or other testing as provided in the Act, by other statute or ordinance.
(D) The body of any animal that has died of rabies shall not be disposed of, except as directed by the City Health Authority Director.
(E) Any person having knowledge of an animal bite to a human will report the incident to the Animal Control Officer, Code Enforcement Officer, a city police officer, or the City Health Authority Director as soon as possible after the incident.
(F) Every veterinarian or other person who is called to examine or professionally attend any animal in the city suspected of having rabies or other zoonotic diseases shall, within 24 hours thereafter, report to the City Health Authority Director the following facts:
(1) A statement of the location of the diseased animal;
(2) The name and address of the owner thereof; and
(3) The type and character of the disease.
(G) Disposition of domestic animals exposed to rabies shall be as follows:
(1) Unvaccinated animals which have been bitten or directly exposed by physical contact with a rabid animal or its fresh tissues shall be:
(a) Humanely killed; or
(b) If sufficient justification for preserving the animal exists, the exposed animal should be immediately vaccinated against rabies, placed in confinement and strict isolation for six months and given a booster vaccination one month prior to release from isolation.
(2) Vaccinated animals which have been bitten or otherwise significantly exposed to a rabid animal should be:
(a) Humanely killed; or
(b) If sufficient justification for preserving the animal exists, the exposed vaccinated animal should be given a booster rabies vaccination and placed in confinement and strict isolation for three months.
(3) These provisions apply only to domestic animals for which an approved rabies vaccine is available.
(Ord. 09-1013, passed 10-13-2009) Penalty, see § 90.999