[R.O. 2009 §4-51; Ord. No. 409 §5, 2-12-1980]
Every person residing within the City who owns, controls, manages,
possesses or has part interest in any dog or cat kept any time during
the year or who permits such animal to come upon, on or in and to
remain in or about his/her home, place of business or their premises
within the City shall have such dog or cat inoculated by a competent
veterinarian against hydrophobia or rabies at least once every twelve
(12) months. If such animal is inoculated with an approved three (3)
year serum, such animal need be inoculated only every three (3) years.
[R.O. 2009 §4-52; Ord. No. 409 §6, 2-12-1980]
Whenever rabies becomes prevalent in this City, the Mayor is
hereby authorized to issue a quarantine order requiring every owner
or person in charge of any dog or cat within the City to either kill
or impound his/her dog or cat or to have such dog or cat immunized.
It shall be the duty of any person who owns, controls, possesses or
has in custody any dog or cat subject to rabies to comply strictly
with such quarantine order. Notice of such quarantine order shall
be given by posting copies thereof in at least six (6) public places
within the City. The Mayor may terminate any such quarantine order
whenever, in his/her judgment, the necessity for it no longer exists.
[R.O. 2009 §4-53; Ord. No. 409 §7, 2-12-1980]
Whenever any quarantine order is issued, it shall be the duty
of the Chief of Police and Police Officers to kill all dogs or cats
found running at large, except those which have been immunized.
[R.O. 2009 §4-54; Ord. No. 409 §8, 2-12-1980]
It shall be the duty of any person bitten by an animal, or the
parent or guardian of any minor child bitten by an animal, to report
the same to the Police Department immediately. Such report shall contain
the name and address of the owner of the animal, the date and time
bitten, the street location where bitten and the general description
of the animal. The Chief of Police or his/her designated representatives
shall immediately take such animal into custody or have the same confined
by the owner thereof. If the owner shall not confine such animal in
a manner satisfactory to the Chief of Police or his/her designated
representative, such animal shall be forthwith surrendered to them
upon demand. Upon the failure of such person to surrender any such
animal, the Chief of Police or his/her designated representatives
shall have the right to enter the premises and take possession of
the animal.
[R.O. 2009 §4-55; Ord. No. 409 §9, 2-12-1980]
In addition to any other powers or duties with respect to the
catching, confining, impounding and subsequent handling of dogs, cats
or other domestic animals, the Chief of Police or Health Commissioner
or their designated representatives may catch, confine, take into
custody or impound and isolate for examination any animal known or
suspected of having rabies or having been exposed to rabies or having
bitten any person, whether said animal was running at large, on a
leash or in the custody of the owner; provided however, that the power
to impound the diseased animals or animals suspected of being diseased
or animals disclosing vicious propensities shall not be exercised
when the owner or custodian of any animal affected by rabies or suspected
of rabies or having been exposed to rabies or any animal disclosing
vicious propensities shall confine and isolate such animal under the
supervision of and in a manner satisfactory to the Health Commissioner
or his/her representative. Upon the failure of the owner or custodian
of any such animal to surrender same, the Chief of Police, Health
Commissioner or their designated representatives shall be authorized
to enter the premises and take possession of any such animal.
[R.O. 2009 §4-56; Ord. No. 409 §10, 2-12-1980]
Any animal impounded and isolated as provided by this Article
for observation may be redeemed following such observation, if the
animal is determined not to have rabies, by the owner or other person
having the right of possession of such animal upon the presentation
to the City Clerk of a valid license, if required, and upon payment
of any fees for the board and observation.
[R.O. 2009 §4-57; Ord. No. 409 §11, 2-12-1980]
If any animal impounded and isolated pursuant to the provision
of this Article shall not be redeemed as provided herein within seven
(7) days following notification that the period of observation has
ended, such animal shall, in the discretion of the Health Commissioner
or his/her designated representatives, be disposed of or such animal
may be redeemed by any other person before its disposal on securing
a license for such animal, if required, and paying the board bill
and any fee for such observation.
[R.O. 2009 §4-58; Ord. No. 409 §12, 2-12-1980]
Should it be necessary to dispose of or destroy any animal during
the period of observation as provided by this Article, the owner or
the person having the right to custody of such animal shall not be
exempt from payment of the fees charged in connection therewith.
[R.O. 2009 §4-59; Ord. No. 409 §13, 2-12-1980]
No private person shall destroy any animal suspected of being
rabid unless it cannot be confined without undo risk of exposure to
the disease. Any person destroying any animal infected with rabies,
or suspected thereof, shall immediately notify the Health Commissioner
or his/her designated representative and shall surrender the carcass
of such animal upon demand. The owner or custodian of such destroyed
animal shall immediately provide the Health Commissioner or his/her
designated representative with full particulars, including the time,
date, location and names and addresses of persons having custody of
any animal exposed to the animal destroyed.