Any person having knowledge of the existence of any animal known
to have been, or suspected of being, exposed to rabies or having knowledge
of an animal bite or scratch to an individual that the person could
reasonably foresee as capable of transmitting rabies must immediately
report such knowledge or incident to the animal control officer, health
authority or any police officer, and in no case longer than 24 hours
from the time of the incident.
(Ordinance 031208-6, sec. 1 (90.030),
adopted 1/12/04)
The animal control officer, any police officer, or the health
authority shall have the authority to order the quarantine of animals
responsible for bite incidents or suspected of having any zoonotic
disease considered to be a hazard to the human population or other
animals.
(Ordinance 031208-6, sec. 1 (90.031),
adopted 1/12/04)
(a)
When
a dog or cat which has bitten or scratched a human or attacks another
animal has been identified, the owner shall be required to produce
the dog or cat for ten days' confinement to determine whether such
dog or cat has been exposed to rabies. If quarantine is indicated
for other animals, they shall be quarantined for a thirty-day observation
period. Any unclaimed animal may be destroyed for rabies diagnosis
prior to the end of this observation period. The dog or cat may be
released from quarantine if a veterinarian determines that the animal
does not show the clinical signs of rabies, provided the owner has
paid all reasonable costs associated with the quarantining. Refusal
to produce such animal is a misdemeanor, and each day of such refusal
constitutes a separate and individual violation.
(b)
No
animal which has a high probability of transmitting rabies, including
skunks, bats, foxes and raccoons, will be placed in quarantine for
observation. All such 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 laboratory certified by the department
of state health services for rabies diagnosis.
(c)
The
health authority may require an animal which has inflicted multiple
bite wounds, punctures, or lacerations to the face, head, or neck
of a person to be humanely killed and the brain tested for rabies.
(Ordinance 031208-6, sec. 1 (90.032),
adopted 1/12/04; Ordinance adopting
Code)
(a)
Disposition of domestic animals.
(1)
Vaccinated animals which have been bitten by or otherwise significantly
exposed to a rabid animal should be humanely destroyed, or, if sufficient
justification for preserving the animal exists, the exposed vaccinated
animal should be immediately given a booster rabies vaccination and
placed in strict isolation for 45 days. Unvaccinated animals shall
be immediately given a rabies vaccination and placed in strict isolation
for 90 days and given booster vaccinations during the third and eighth
weeks of isolation. If the unvaccinated animal is under three months
of age at the time of the second vaccination, an additional booster
should be given when the animal reaches three months of age.
(2)
If a veterinarian determines that a quarantined animal does not show
the clinical signs of rabies, it may be released to the owner prior
to or upon expiration of the quarantine period, provided the owner
has paid all of the reasonable costs of such quarantine and any veterinarian
bills. However, if the quarantined animal shows the clinical signs
of the disease of rabies, the animal shall be humanely destroyed and
its head or brain submitted to the nearest laboratory certified by
the department of state health services for rabies diagnosis.
(b)
Disposition of wild or exotic animals.
No wild or exotic
animal will be placed in quarantine. All wild or exotic animals will
be humanely destroyed in such a manner that the brain is not mutilated.
The brain will then be submitted to a laboratory certified for rabies
diagnosis in order to be tested.
(c)
Quarantine facilities; home quarantine.
Any animal to
be placed in quarantine must be placed in an animal control facility
approved by the department of state health services as directed by
the health authority. However, the owner of the animal may request
permission for home quarantine if the following criteria can be met:
(1)
Secure facilities must be available at the home of the animal's owner
and must be approved by a licensed veterinarian.
(2)
The animal is currently vaccinated against rabies.
(3)
A licensed veterinarian must observe the animal at least on the first
and last days of the quarantine period. If the animal becomes ill
during the observation period, the municipality and the veterinarian
must be notified by the person having possession of the animal. At
the end of the observation period, the release from quarantine must
be provided in writing by the attending veterinarian and approved
by the municipality.
(4)
The animal was not a stray at the time of the bite incident.
(5)
If the biting animal cannot be maintained in secure quarantine, it
shall be humanely destroyed and the brain submitted to a laboratory
certified by the department of state health services for rabies diagnosis.
(Ordinance 031208-6, sec. 1 (90.033),
adopted 1/12/04)
