The purpose of this article is to prevent rabies.
As used in such article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
ANIMAL
A dog or other mammal susceptible to rabies.
OWN
To keep, harbor or have control, charge or custody of an
animal.
OWNER
Any person who has the right of property in an animal, keeps
or harbors an animal, has it in his or her care or allows it to remain
on or about any premises occupied by him or her.
VACCINATION
Inoculation with a rabies vaccine licensed by the United
States Department of Agriculture.
VETERINARIAN
A graduate of an accredited school of veterinary medicine
who is licensed to practice in the state.
Any person having knowledge that an animal has
bitten or injured any person in the Borough shall immediately report
the facts, including the whereabouts of such animal (if known) to
the Board of Health. The owner of such animal shall confine it immediately
for 10 days as directed by the Board. The animal shall be examined
within 48 hours by a veterinarian and a written report of such examination,
on forms supplied by the Board, shall be submitted by the owner to
the Board. If at any time during this ten-day confinement the animal
becomes ill, escapes or dies, such fact shall be communicated immediately
by the owner or veterinarian to the Board. The animal shall be moved
immediately to a veterinary hospital or other approved location, as
directed by the Board. At the end of the ten-day confinement, the
animal shall be reexamined by a veterinarian and a written report
of findings shall be submitted by the owner to the Board within 48
hours. If the reexamination reveals no symptoms of rabies, the animal
may then be released from confinement.
Any person who has knowledge that an animal
in the Borough is infected with, or suspected of being infected with,
rabies, shall report the facts immediately, including the whereabouts
of such animal (if known) to the Board of Health. Any animal suspected
of being infected with rabies shall be removed by the owner and confined
immediately in a veterinary hospital or other approved location and
such animal shall not be released therefrom without permission of
the Board. An animal infected with rabies shall be disposed of as
directed by the Board.
For the purpose of control, in case an animal
is suspected of being infected with rabies, or if one dies for any
reason during quarantine and requires laboratory analysis, the owner
or person designated to act for the owner shall engage a veterinarian
to prepare the suspected animal for shipment to an approved laboratory
for the purpose of determining rabies infection.
The cost of examination, vaccination, impounding
and preparation of an animal for laboratory analysis shall be borne
by the owner of such animal.