The owner of an animal subject to quarantine pursuant to this
chapter is required to quarantine the animal for a period of not less
than ten days confinement from the date of the bite, at the owner’s
expense. The quarantine may be accomplished by:
(1) Quarantine
in the animal shelter, supervised by the local animal control authority;
(2) Quarantine
at a veterinary clinic, supervised by a licensed veterinarian; or
(3) The
owner of the animal may request permission from the animal control
authority for home quarantine, which may be granted if the following
requirements are met:
(A) A secure enclosure approved by the animal control authority will
be used to prevent escape.
(B) The animal has been vaccinated against rabies and the time elapsed
since the most recent vaccination has not exceeded the manufacturer
recommendations for the vaccine. If an unvaccinated animal is not
over 16 weeks of age at the time of the potential exposure, it may
be allowed home confinement.
(C) During the confinement period, the animal’s owner must monitor
the animal’s behavior and health status and immediately notify
the local rabies control authority if any change is noted.
(D) The animal was not a stray as defined in the Texas Health and Safety
Code, sec. 826.002, at the time of the potential exposure.
(Ordinance 558-19 adopted 9/9/19)
The animal control authority or 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
person having possession of the animal shall notify the animal control
authority as soon as the animal presents with symptoms of any illness.
(Ordinance 558-19 adopted 9/9/19)
If the biting animal cannot be maintained in secure quarantine,
it shall be humanely destroyed and the brain submitted to a Texas
Department of State Health Services certified laboratory for rabies
diagnosis. The owner of the animal may be requested to reimburse the
expense of shipping the brain of the animal.
(Ordinance 558-19 adopted 9/9/19)
A person commits an offense if the person interrupts the observation
period by removing an animal from the quarantine facility approved
by the animal control authority. Any interruption of the quarantine
by any person shall be just cause for seizure and impoundment of the
quarantined animal by the animal control authority.
(Ordinance 558-19 adopted 9/9/19)
(a) An
animal that has been quarantined may be released by the animal control
authority under the following conditions:
(1) At the end of the observation period, if the owner can provide proof
that the animal is currently vaccinated;
(2) When all applicable fees have been paid; and
(3) If the animal is not being impounded for legal proceedings.
(b) If,
by the end of the observation period, the owner cannot provide proof
that the animal is currently vaccinated, the animal control authority
will conditionally release the animal with a voucher for rabies vaccination
paid for by the animal’s owner. The owner commits an offense
if (s)he does not provide proof of vaccination to the animal control
authority within one business day of the animal’s release from
quarantine.
(Ordinance 558-19 adopted 9/9/19)
No dangerous wild animal will be placed in quarantine. Any dangerous
wild animal involved in a biting incident will be humanely euthanized
and the brain shall be submitted to a Texas Department of State Health
Services certified laboratory for rabies diagnosis.
(Ordinance 558-19 adopted 9/9/19)
The veterinarian or animal control authority may sell the animal
and retain the proceeds or keep, grant, or destroy an animal if the
owner or custodian does not take possession of the animal before the
fourth day following the final day of the quarantine period.
(Ordinance 558-19 adopted 9/9/19)